Extraction behavior of Am(III) and Eu(III) by tri-n-octylmethylammonium diglycolamate ionic liquid impregnated XAD-7

ABSTRACT

Aliquat-336-based strongly hydrophobic ionic liquid, tri-n-octylmethylammonium diglycolamate ([A336]⁺[DGA]⁻), was prepared and impregnated in Amberlite XAD-7 (abbreviated as [A336]⁺[DGA]⁻/XAD-7) for studying the extraction behavior of Am(III) and Eu(III) from nitric acid medium. The distribution ratio of Am(III) and Eu(III) in [A336]⁺[DGA]⁻/XAD-7 decreased with an increase in the concentration of nitric acid and the mechanism of trivalent metal ion extraction in the resin phase was elucidated. The uptake of Am(III) and Eu(III) in [A336]⁺[DGA]⁻/XAD-7 followed a second order and from the Langmuir adsorption model the apparent europium extraction capacity was determined. The conditions needed for efficient separation of Am(III) from Eu(III) was optimized.

KEYWORDS:

• Americium
• diglycolamic acid
• distribution coefficient
• Europium
• room temperature ionic liquid
• solid phase extraction