Efficiency of Aliquat 336 for hydrometallurgical separation of Sm (III) and Co (II) from nitrate medium

The recovery of rare earths elements (REEs) has become crucial due to their extensive use in progressive technologies. Processing of end-of-life products such as nickel-metal hydride batteries, permanent magnets and fluorescent lamps have turn out to be necessary because REEs are of limited availability due to growing demand. The present research deals with the study of separation of Sm (III) and Co (II) from nitrate medium using Aliquat 336 blended with propanol as modifier and kerosene as diluent. The effects of pH, nitrate ion, Aliquat 336 concentration, diluents, temperature and phase volume ratio on the separation of two metal ions have been examined. Extraction of Sm (III) increases with increase in pH, nitrate ion concentration and Aliquat 336 molarity. Extraction isotherm shows three theoretical stages for complete extraction of Sm (III) in presence of Co (II). Increase in shaking time and temperature have positive influence on the extraction process and complete stripping of Sm (III) has been achieved using 0.01 mol/L hydrochloric acid.