Application of polymeric substrates for the separation and concentration of rare earth elements from waters

Abstract

The aim of this project is to use new polymeric materials aiming at the concentration and separation of rare earth elements (La, Ce and Nd) from waters for further determination by determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Polysaccharides based substrates, such as cellulose, xanthan and alginate, will be synthesized in the form of spherical magnetic and non-magnetic beads. Physicochemical characteristics of these polymeric substrates will be investigated with techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Physicochemical conditions of the aqueous media will be optimized for maximum adsorption of analytes on polymeric substrates. Thereafter, these new materials will be used for separation of La, Ce and Nd from waters, including groundwaters and wastewaters from monazite mining, for further determination by ICP OES and ICP-MS after desorption. The instrumental conditions of both techniques will be optimized aiming at the simultaneous determination of La, Ce and Nd. Analytes enrichment factors will be determined for each substrate. (AU)