Liquid-Liquid Extraction of La (III) from Aqueous Solution by Mixture of Extractants and Its Use in a Supported Liquid Membrane System

The efficient removal of La(III) from an aqueous solution was investigated by flat-sheet supported liquid membrane. A mixture of TOPO, TBP, D۲EHPA extractants was used as a carrier for lanthanum ion extraction. We have optimized various parameters such as ion concentration, acid concentration in the feed phase, strip phase concentration, and carrier concentration. Under the optimal condition with efficiency, the La(III) is transported from the feed phase to the stripping phase within a period of ۳ h. This research would provide an appropriate approach for the recovery of rare earth elements with the supported liquid membrane technique.