Comparison of Cyanex 272 and Cyanex 572 for the separation of Neodymium froma Nd/Tb/Dy mixture by pertraction

Abstract

Recovering Nd(III) from wastemagnets is an alternative method to satisfy the increasing demand for this metal. For this reason, the separation of Nd from a mixture containing Nd/Tb/Dy in chloride media using Cyanex 272 and Cyanex 572 has been evaluated. Using Cyanex 272 and Cyanex 572, themetals are transported in the order Dy(III)>Tb(III)>>Nd(III) in all conditions studied. The optimum feed conditions to achieve Nd(III) separation are: Cyanex 272: pH 2 and Cyanex 572: pH 1.5 with 1.2 mol/L HCl as a receiving agent for both carriers. The results obtained suggest that Cyanex 572 is a better carrier than Cyanex 272 for separating Nd(III) from a mixture containing Nd/Tb/Dy.