Oscillopolarographic behavior of europium (3) and ytterbium (3) in alkali and alkaline earth metal halogenide solutions

Polarographic behaviour of europium(3) and ytterbium(3) has been studied in the alkali and alkaline earth metal halogenide solutions in the wide range of their concentrations and pH values. Kinetics of reduction of both ions, including determination of transfer coefficients and rate constants of the electrode processes is investigated. The effect of the nature of cations and anions of background on the electrode process is found out. The optimum conditions for polarographic determination of europium and ytterbium are chosen: 0.1M NaCl with pH2 and 4 respectively. Under these conditions other rare earths do not interfere with the reduction of europium(3) and ytterbium(3) as well, which makes it possible to determine them in the presence of these elements; rather acid medium prevents hydrolysis of salts present in rare earths. The methods of 0.01-10% europium and ytterbium determination in Nd, Pr, Sm, Gd, Eu, La oxides and in the commercial concentrates of neodymium are worked out