Extraction and derivative spectrophotometric assay of Sm(III), Pr(III) and Nd(III) from REEs monazite concentrate

ABSTRACT

Concerning the great significance of rare-earth elements (REEs) in high-technology field and nuclear power, the target of this work is selective extraction and accurate spectrophotometric determination of Sm (III), Pr (III) and Nd (III) from REEs monazite concentrate using Cyanex 921 as extractant and Chrome azurol S dye. Effects of different extraction parameters were evaluated. To elucidate the selectivity and overcoming spectral interferences, derivatisation of spectra was studied. The fourth-derivative spectra were investigated to eliminate interferences of Sm (III), Pr (III) and Nd (III) in presence of each other after their extraction by Cyanex 921 and gave significant peaks for Sm (III), Pr (III) and Nd (III) at 315, 309 and 318 nm, respectively. The optimum parameters for extraction by Cyanex 921 and fourth-derivative spectra using Chrome azurol S dye were applied for the determination of Sm (III), Pr (III) and Nd (III) in REEs monazite concentrate with accurate results.

KEYWORDS:

• Extraction
• rare earth elements
• monazite
• derivative spectrophotometric
• Cyanex 921

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific funding.