Synergistic extraction and separation of Dysprosium and Europium by supported liquid membrane

Synergistic extraction and separation of Dysprosium (Dy) and Europium (Eu) via supported liquid membrane (SLM) were investigated using mixture of di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and Bis (2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex272). The results showed that separation of Dy and Eu was highly dependent on the pH of feed solution. Dy can be extracted more than Eu, because the equilibrium constant for Dy using the mixture of D2EHPA and Cyanex272 was greater than that for Eu. Various parameters were optimized to achieve maximum separation factor, namely feed phase pH, carrier concentration and stripping phase concentration. The membrane was stable at six cycles of operation.