Extraction of Cerium using a Synergistic Mixture of Methyl Isobutyl Ketone and Nonylphenoxy Acetic Acid

The present work provides a successfully method for selective extraction of cerium from prepared phosphogypsum nitrate leach liquor employing a methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), nonyl phenoxy acetic acid (CA100) and a synergism from the two extractants. The extracted complexes of cerium (IV) have been investigated using the slope analysis method. It was found that, cerium was extracted as Ce (NO3) 3. CA100, Ce (NO3) 4. MIBK and Ce (NO3) 2 (CA100) 2-MIBK by using CA100, MIBK and MIBK-CA100 mixture, respectively. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of the mixed solvents were determined and the maximum synergistic coefficients either the extraction efficiency or the selectivity was obtained at 15 min. , 298 K, A/O =1, [MIBK] = 0.1 M/L and [CA100] = 0.5 M/L.