Project Detail:
Lanthanide elements have become essential in the new technologies such as superconductors, rare earth magnets, hybrid cars, lanthanide-doped phosphors. However their sources are scarce and available only in very few regions. Moreover, separation of their ions are difficult to achieve due to their similar sizes. Thus separation of lanthanide ions are in demand. The research will focus on selective extraction and separation of precious lanthanide ions from monazite ores using ionic liquids, low-temperature molten salts as alternative and greener solvents. Both liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase extractions have been under investigation.