Extraction Behavior of Rare Earths in Ion Liquid Extraction System Using 1-Butyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Hexafluorophosphate and 5,7-Dichloro-8-Hydroxy Quinoline
The extraction behavior of five rare earth ions (RE3+) was investigated in ionic liquid (IL) extraction system using 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim]PF6) ionic liquid as extraction solvent and 5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxy quinoline (HQ) as extractant. The extraction percentage of RE3+ using [Bmim]PF6 was less than 8% without HQ. When sufficient HQ was included in IL phase, the extraction percentage of RE3+ could be higher than 99% except La3+. The extracted species in the RE3+-[Bmim]PF6-HQ system was neutral REQ3 and complete recovery of RE3+ extracted into [Bmim]PF6 can be achieved using the mixture of hydrazine hydrate and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as stripping agent. [Bmim]PF6 can be recycled in the experiment.