Extraction kinetics of Sc(III), Y(III), La(III) and Gd(III) from chloride medium by Cyanex 302 in heptane using the constant interfacial cell with laminar flow

The extraction kinetics of Sc, Y, La and Gd(III) from the hydrochloric acid medium using Cyanex 302 (hereafter HL) in heptane solution have been measured by the constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. Reaction regions are explored at liquid–liquid interface. Extraction regimes are deduced to be diffusion-controlled for Sc(III) and mixed controlled for Y, La and Gd(III). Extraction mechanisms are discussed according to the dimeric model of Cyanex 302 in non-polar solution. From the temperature dependence of rate measurement, the values of Ea, ΔH±, ΔS± and ΔG300± are calculated and it is found that the absolute values of these parameters keep crescent trend for Sc, Y, La and Gd(III). At the same time, it is found that it can easily achieve the mutual separation among the Sc, Y and La(III) with kinetics extraction methods.