Recovery of lanthanides from kola apatite in phosphoric acid manufacture

The paper presents the results of bench-scale studies for the recovery of lanthanides from Kola apatite in the phosphoric acid production by a two-stage hemihydrate-dihydrate wet-process. The second stage of the process (hydration of hemihydrate) provides the best conditions for the recovery of lanthanides. In the postulated recovery process use is made of solvent extraction for the removal of lanthanides during hydration of hemihydrate, and precipitation-stripping for the removal of lanthanides from the solvent. Lanthanides are recovered in the form of Ln-enriched concentrates with an efficiency of 80–85%. The process does not disturb the phosphoric acid production, and additionally purifies the by-product gypsum, so that it can be utilized.     

TODGA-DHOA体系萃取金属离子 Ⅲ.对Am(Ⅲ)和三价镧系离子的萃取

研究了以N,N,N’,N’-四辛基-3-氧戊二酰胺(TODGA)和N,N-二己基辛酰胺(DHOA)为萃取剂、正十二烷为稀释剂对Am(Ⅲ)和三价镧系元素的萃取行为,主要考察了萃取剂浓度、HNO3浓度、NaNO3浓度、金属离子浓度和温度的影响。结果表明:随着TODGA浓度的增加,TODGA/正十二烷和TODGA-DHOA/正十二烷两种萃取体系对Am(Ⅲ)和三价镧系元素的萃取分配比显著增加,DHOA对三价锕系和镧系萃取能力很弱,而DHOA的加入,对TODGA/正十二烷萃取Am(Ⅲ)和三价镧系元素具有一定抑制作用。TODGA萃取三价镧系元素的分配比随着镧系原子序数的增加而增加,Am的分配比与Eu相近。TODGA萃取稀土元素是放热反应,萃取过程中焓变起主导作用,吉布斯自由能变(-ΔG)变化的规律也表明随着镧系原子序数的增加,TODGA对其萃取能力增强。通过对TODGA萃取Am(Ⅲ)和三价镧系元素机理探讨,得到萃取反应方程式均为:M3+aq+3NO-3,aq+3TODGAorg→M(NO3)3·3TODGAorg     

Lanthanide selective adsorption by ion-imprinted polymer with chelidonic acid monoamide groups

Lanthanide selective adsorbent with chelidonic acid monoamide group was synthesized based on the ion-imprint method and its adsorption character was investigated. A polymerizable ligand 3 with chelidonic acid group was obtained by condensation of chelidonic acid and 4-aminostyrene. A Nd-complex monomer 7 was synthesized from the obtained ligand 3 and Nd(NO₃)₃. Copolymerization of the Nd-complex monomer, styrene and divinylbenzene afforded Nd-containing polymer 8. To obtain Nd-imprinted polymer 9, Nd ion was removed by hydrochloric acid. A non-imprinted polymer 6 composed by 3, styrene and divinylbenzene was also synthesized. Elemental analysis revealed that the content of chelidonic acid monoamide ligand in the 6 and 9 is 1.70 and 1.56 mmol·g^?1, respectively. BET method indicated that 6 and 9 has specific surface area of 14.7 and 1.51 m²·g^?1, respectively. Nd adsorption experiments revealed 9 exhibits imprinting factor (IF) 4.3 at initial concentration 0.4 mmol-Nd/L, despite 9 has 0.92-fold of ligands and 0.1-fold of specific surface area of 6. Mixed ion solution including Nd, Dy, Cu, Zn, and Co was used as a model solution for an adsorption experiment. 9 exhibits high lanthanide selectivity in a range of pH of 3.0–7.0 and a maximum adsorption amount at pH 3.75, despite 6 shows the maximum at pH 5.0. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation of a model system revealed that the ion-imprint effect and inhibition effect is cause of large adsorption amount of 9.     

An Efficient Lanthanide‐Dependent DNAzyme Cleaving 2′–5′‐Linked RNA

RNA can form two types of linkage. In addition to the predominant 3′–5′ linkage, 2′–5′‐linked RNA is also important in biology, medicine, and prebiotic studies. Here, in vitro selection was used to isolate a DNAzyme that specifically cleaves 2′–5′ RNA by using Ce³⁺ as the metal cofactor, but leaves the 3′–5′ counterpart intact. This Ce5 DNAzyme requires trivalent light lanthanide ions and shows a rate of 0.16 min^?1 in the presence of 10 μm Ce³⁺; the activity decreases with heavier lanthanide ions. This is the fastest DNAzyme reported for this reaction, and it might enable applications in chemical biology. As a proof‐of‐concept, using this DNAzyme, the reactions between phosphorothioate‐modified RNA and strongly thiophilic metals (Hg²⁺ and Tl³⁺) were studied as a function of pH.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Actinide and Lanthanide Ion Transport Across Supported Liquid Membranes

In this work, we propose a new transport mechanism for metal ions relevant for used nuclear fuel separation processes by a supported liquid membrane (SLM). Two SLM extraction systems were investigated where the membrane was impregnated with either di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) or tributyl phosphate (TBP). A HDEHP impregnated membrane was used to extract neodymium (III), representative of a typical trivalent lanthanide. Cerium, which was oxidized by sodium bismuthate from trivalent to tetravalent state, was extracted by TBP. Oxidized cerium was used as a surrogate for oxidized americium to investigate the kinetics and possibility of americium and curium separation by membrane extraction. Both extraction systems were operated at varying nitric acid concentrations, and changes in the kinetics and extraction efficiency of metal ions were investigated. The proposed transport mechanism that was chosen for our studies was modified from the previous works by Danesi et al.^[1,2] and Cussler et al.^[3] The mechanism was selected due to the ability to accommodate and describe transport phenomena across a SLM when formation of extractant nano-channels in the membrane may exist. We were able to obtain acceptable fit of the models to our overall data trends although chemical and physical conditions must be well established and purity and homogeneity of the membrane are critical. A reverse transport of metal ions was observed when leaving the system for longer times which agrees with our model. The membrane was investigated for degradation and shown to be stable after contact with up to 7 M nitric acid for over 2000 minutes. Finally, we examined the possibility of partitioning americium from curium using a SLM impregnated by TBP. Separation of americium from curium was observed although not to a degree that was expected based on the Ce(IV) transport. Incomplete oxidation of Am(III) to Am(V) and reduction of Am(VI) on the membrane surface are possible causes for this observed discrepancy. Our model was, however, able to accurately predict Cm(III) transport through the membrane.     

Ionic Liquids: How Far Do they Extend the Potential of Solvent Extraction of f-Elements?

Applicability of room temperature liquids (RTILs) as diluents in the solvent extraction of f-elements is reviewed. Characteristics of selected RTILs, important for such an application, are gathered. Properties tabulated are the melting and freezing points, density, mutual solubility with water, viscosity, surface tension, specific conductivity, and radiation stability. Properties such as environmental compatibility, toxicity, chemical and thermal stability, biodegradability, and chemical degradability imply that RTILs are not harmless to the environment or to work safety. The extraction efficiency and mechanism in systems involving RTILs is described, discussed, and compared with systems involving molecular diluents. Particularly assessed is the extraction of nitric acid by RTILs alone and TBP, the extraction of U(VI), Ce(IV), Pu(IV), Am(III), and lanthanides(III) by RTILs alone, the extraction of U(VI), Ce(IV), actinides(III,IV), and lanthanides(III) by solvating O-donors, the extraction of Eu(III) by a solvating N-donor, the extraction of lanthanides(III) and Am(III) by acidic extractants, and the extraction of actinides(III,IV) and lanthanides(III) by task specific ionic liquids.     

THE EXTRACTION OF Am(III) FROM NITRIC ACID BY OCTYL(PHENYL)-N,N-DIISOBUTYLCARBAMOYLMETHYLPHOSPHINE OXIDE - TRI-n-BUTYL PHOSPHATE MIXTURES

Abstract

The extraction behavior of Am(III) from nitric acid by octy1(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl methyphosphine oxides, OØD[IB]CMPO, in the presence of tributylphosphate, TBP, has been studied using diethylbenzene, decalin, and normal aliphatic hydrocarbon diluents. Relative to ØD[IB]CMPO alone, mixtures of TBP and OØD[IB]CMPO show a slight enhancement in the extraction of Am(III) from nitric acid solution above 2 M and a moderate decrease in extraction for lower acid concentrations. The net effect of TBP addition to OØD[IB]CMPO (as well as other selected carbamoyl methylphosphoryl extractants) is a relative insensitivity of the distribution ratio of Am(III) to HNO₃ concentration in the range of 0.5 M to 6 M and facilitated stripping of Am(III) with dilute acid. Since a continuous variation study of Am(III) extraction using mixtures of ØOD[IB]CMPO and TBP at a fixed total concentration revealed no evidence of a mixed complex, the TBP appears to be behaving primarily as a phase modifier

The most significant benefit gained from addition of TBP to ØD[IB]CMPO is the increased metal ion loading capacity and extractant compatibility with alicyclic and aliphatic diluents. The use of TBP to overcome phase compatibility with other bifunctional extractants of the carbamoylmethylphosphoryl type and the use of other phase modifiers with ØD[IB]CMPO have also been investigated.     

Self-assembled bright luminescent hierarchical materials from a tripodal benzoate antenna and heptadentate Eu(III) and Tb(III) cyclen complexes

The europium heptadentate coordinatively unsaturated (Eu(III)) and the terbium (Tb(III)) 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) complexes 1 and 2 were used in conjunction with ligand 3 (1,3,5-benzene-trisethynylbenzoate) to form the supramolecular self-assembly structures 4 and 5;this being investigated in both the solid and the solution state. The resulting self-assemblies gave rise to metal centered emission (both in the solid and solution) upon excitation of 3, confirming its role as a sensitizing antenna. Drop-cased examples of ligand 3, and the solid forms of 4 and 5, formed from both organic and mixture of organic-aqueous solutions, were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, which showed significant changes in morphology;the ligand giving rise to one dimensional structures, while both 4 and 5 formed amorphous materials that were highly dense solid networks containing nanoporous features. The surface area (216 and 119 m2·g^-1 for 4 and 5 respectively) and the ability of these porous materials to capture and store gases such as N2 investigated at 77 K. The self-assembly formation was also investigated in diluted solution by monitoring the various photophysical properties of 3–5. This demonstrated that the most stable structures were that consisting of a single antennae 3 and three complexes of 1 or 2 (e.g., 4 and 5) in solution. By monitoring the excited state lifetimes of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions in H2O and D2O respectively, we showed that their hydration states (the q-value) changed from -2 to 0, upon formation of the assemblies, indicating that the three benzoates of 3 coordinated directly to the each of the three lanthanide centers. Finally we demonstrate that this hierarchically porous materials can be used for the sensing of organic solvents as the emission is highly depended on the solvent environment;the lanthanide emission being quenched in the presence of acetonitrile and THF, but greatly enhanced in the presence of methanol.     

Association of a terpyridine ligand with lanthanide and copper(Ⅱ) nitrates

Reactions between the 1,3-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl) pyridine ligand L,C17H15N3 and LnIII(1a,1b,1c,1d) or a mixture of LnIII and CuII nitrates(2a,2b,2c,2d) resulted in a series of respectively novel mono-and heterodinuclea r complexes,where LnIII=Sm(a) ,Eu(b) ,Tb(c) ,Dy(d) . The compounds were char acterized by elemental analysis,ESI-MS and IR spectra,furthermore we obtained crystals of [H2L][Eu(NO3) 5](1b) and [CuL2][Eu(NO3) 5](2b) suitable for XRD char acterization. In the crystal structures the Eu ions are 10-coordinated with quit e a narrow range of Eu-O distances which are between 0.2436 and 0.2556 nm. In 1b the ligand molecule is protonated in both terminal rings,and the N-H groups ar e involved in the N-H…O hydrogen bonds with the same oxygen atom of one of the nitro groups. These hydrogen bonds connect the ions in 1b into the complex which is the principal building block of the structure. In 2b the [CuL2]2+ counterion s are present;the Cu is octahedrally coordinated by all nitrogen iatoms of two L molecules which are therefore almost perpendicular to each other. The electros tatic interactions between the charged species are in both cases the main drivin g force of the crystal packing.