SULFONAMIDE-BASED SEPARATION MEDIA FOR RARE EARTH ELEMENT SEPARATIONS

摘要

A sulfonamide based rare earth element ion separation media and method of synthesis and use are provided. A bed or column of sulfonamide resin for separations can be prepared by exposing a sulfonate resin to chlorosulfonic acid to form a sulfonyl chloride resin; exposing the sulfonyl chloride resin to aqueous ammonia to form a sulfonamide resin; and then packing the sulfonamide resin into a separation column. Mixtures of lanthanide and other rare earth ions with very similar atomic radii and characteristics can be separated by flowing a mixture of lanthanide ions through a bed of sulfonamide resin followed by a mobile phase of an organic acid such as lactic acid to elute the separated rare earth element ions separated by the sulfonamide resin. Collected fractions of eluate can also be recycled through the sulfonamide media.

主权项

1. A method for separating rare earth element ions, the method comprising:
flowing a solution containing a mixture of rare earth element ions through a bed of sulfonamide resin; and collecting separated rare earth element ions from the sulfonamide resin bed.