Enhanced Separation of Sm and La from Sm₂O₃-La₂O₃ Mixtures Based on a Reduction–Oxidation Method

The Sm₂O₃-La₂O₃ mixture was converted to the component chlorides, and Sm and La were separated from the chlorides using the reduction–oxidation method based on the chemical valence variation of Sm. In the reduction stage, samarium (III) chloride was reduced to samarium (II) chloride using hydrogen. In the oxidation stage, samarium (II) chloride was oxidized by water to SmCl₃ and water-insoluble SmOCl. After filter separation of SmOCl, the Sm₂O₃ content in the initial La₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ mixture was reduced by ~ 50 pct. These results demonstrate an innovative method for pyrometallurgical separation of Sm and La from Sm₂O₃-La₂O₃ mixtures.