Studies on extraction and permeation of lanthanum(III) and cerium(III) using cyphos IL 104 as extractant and ion carrier

This work shows application of Cyphos IL 104 (trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinate) as the extractant and the ion carrier of Ce(III) and La(III) from aqueous solutions through polymer inclusion membranes (PIM). These membranes were used for separation of Ce(III) from solution containing La(III), Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II). The best results of the separation process were obtained for PIM containing: 20.0 wt.% CTA, 55.0 wt.% NPOE and 25.0 wt.% Cyphos IL 104 at pH 3.8 into 1 M H2SO4. The separation coefficients were found in order ofS(Ce/La)