Analytical Sciences

Uphill Transport of Rare-Earth Metals through a Highly Stable Supported Liquid Membrane Based on an Ionic Liquid

Fukiko KUBOTA,* Yousuke SHIMOBORI,* Yusuke KOYANAGI,* Kojiro SHIMOJO,** Noriho KAMIYA,* and Masahiro GOTO*

*Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
**Division of Environment and Radiation Science, Nuclear Science and Energy Directions, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai-mura, Ibaraki 319-1195 Japan

We have developed a highly stable supported liquid membrane based on ionic liquids (ILs) for the separation of rare-earth metals, employing N,N-dioctyldiglycol amic acid as a mobile carrier. The quantitative transport of Y and Eu through the membrane was successfully attained, and separation from metal impurities, Zn, was efficiently accomplished. A membrane stable enough for long-term operation was constructible from imidazolium-based ILs having a longer alkyl chain, such as octyl or dodecyl groups in an imidazolium cation.

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