Separation of Yttrium and Cerium Elements in REE Concentrate from Processed Xenotime Sand Using Cyanex 572

Abstract

This study investigates the dual objective of recovering and selectively separating yttrium (Y) and cerium (Ce) from rare earth element (REE) concentrates derived from xenotime sand using Cyanex 572 in a kerosene diluent through liquid–liquid extraction. Given the distinct chemical properties of Y (a heavy REE) and Ce (a light REE), effective early-stage separation between light and heavy REEs is essential for downstream purification. Key operational parameters were systematically optimized, including nitric acid concentration, extractant concentration, extraction time, and agitation speed. The optimal conditions—1 mol/L HNO₃, 25% Cyanex 572, 15 min extraction time, and 200 rpm agitation—yielded separation efficiencies of 62.6% for Ce and 30.57% for Y, with a maximum separation factor of 3.83. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that ion exchange and solvation mechanisms govern the extraction process. Despite Cyanex 572’s s known selectivity for heavy REEs, Ce exhibited higher extraction efficiencies, which were attributed to its higher feed concentration and preferential interaction with the extractant under the tested conditions. The findings provide a technically viable approach for simultaneously recovering these metals and achieving mutual selectivity.