Separation of lanthanum(III) and neodymium(III) by extraction with tributyl phosphate in the presence of a solid phase

Lanthanum(III) and neodymium(III) extraction from nitric acid solutions with tributyl phosphate in the presence of a solid phase has been studied. The coefficient of neodymium nitrate distribution α in presence of solid phase has been found to increase with decrease of its concentration in the original solution and increase of lanthanum nitrate concentration. Separation is most pronounced in the neodymium nitrate microregion. A procedure has been proposed for quantitative neodymium extraction form lanthanum nitrate solutions with a neodymium and lanthanum separation coefficient higher than 25