In solvent extraction systems, tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide (TODGA) shows an unusually high extraction efficiency and selectivity for the trivalent f-elements. The unique outer coordination sphere formed when TODGA is present in an aliphatic diluent is composed of the counter anions and water. This outer coordination sphere and may be responsible for early lanthanide selectivity. TODGA also forms aggregates comprised of extractant, nitrate, and water in aliphatic diluents which may be the cause of third phase formation. Because hydrometallurgical processes are not designed to handle a third phase, phase modifiers, such as 1-octanol, must be used to limit third phase formation. In an ideal extraction system, the outer coordination sphere of TODGA would be preserved while limiting the long-range aggregation potentially responsible for third phase formation. One way to study the effect the long-range ordering has on extraction systems is by confining the TODGA to a well-defined porous support. Here, TODGA was physisorbed on ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) nanoparticles. The TODGA-OMC material was studied for Eu3+ uptake and maximum adsorption capacity in batch (static) systems. The addition of a phase modifier, 2-octanol, to TODGA prior to physisorption and the effect on uptake was also examined.

Tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide confinement in solid supports for f-element separations

2019 Fall National Meeting

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