Solvent extraction of praseodymium(III) from chloride solutions by a mixture of Cyanex 301 and LIX 63

• A mixture of Cyanex 301 and TBP showed synergism for the extraction of PrCl3.
• The highest enhancement factor was obtained at the Cyanex 301 mole fraction of 0.8.
• The Pr in the loaded mixture was easily stripped by dilute sulfuric acid solution.
• This extractant mixture can be employed to separate Pr and Nd from La or Ce.

The synergistic solvent extraction of Pr(III) from chloride solutions has been studied using a mixture of Cyanex 301 and LIX 63. Among the various mixtures of extractants screened, this mixture showed significant synergism at a Cyanex 301 mole fraction of 0.8. The effect of various parameters such as equilibrium pH, extractant concentration was studied to identify the extraction reaction on the basis of slope analysis. From stripping studies, dilute sulfuric acid was found to be the best stripping agent. Based on separation factors, the mixture may be applied for the binary separations of Pr and Nd from La.