Abstract

In this paper, the liquid-solid extraction of neodymium(III) by sodium bentonite and magnetic activated carbon was reported. Neodymium (Nd) is a key element that widely applied in high-tech industries; various parameters, such as: the time, metal concentration, ionic strength, effect of initial pH etc., have been studied to assess the efficiency of sodium bentonite and magnetic activated carbon for the removal of Nd(III). Optimal extraction yield was achieved at pH equal to 9.1 for sodium bentonite and in the range of pHi from 3.1 to 9.2 for the magnetic activated carbon. The time needed for magnetic activated carbon to absorb the maximum of Nd(III) is 100 min and 60 min for sodium bentonite. The experimental capacity obtained was 528 mg g-1 for magnetic activated carbon and 503 mg g-1 for sodium bentonite. In order to validate the performance of this extractants, kinetics and diffusional studies were also developed throughout this study. Adsorption equilibrium data were calculated for Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. It was found that the sorption of Nd(III) on sodium and magnetic activated carbon was better suited to the Freundlich adsorption model.

Key words: Neodymium, sodium bentonite, magnetic activated carbon removal, kinetics.