Extraction of Cerium(lV) by Liquid Cation Exchanger (Versatic 10) and its Separation from Lanthanide Elements

Department of Chemistry, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan-731 285 Manuscript received 6 April 1981, revised 18 August 1981, accepted 10 December 1981 A rapid and selective method for the extraction of cerium(IV) at milligram level with liquid cation exchanger, Versatic 10, in benzene was proposed. Quantitative extraction was achieved in the \(p\)H range 5.0-5.5. The effect of variables such as \(p\)H of the aqueous phase, diluent, contact time and extractant concentration on the extraction was studied. The equilibration between the two phases was achieved within one minute. The probable composition or the extracted species being CeR4 , was deduced from the extraction data. The presence of magnesium, calcium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium and mercury did not interfere in the extraction of cerium(IV). Cerium(IV) was quantitatively separated from several binary and ternary mixtures containing rare earth elements