Physicochemical study of extractants for extraction of rare earth element

Background: In nuclear technology, the solvent extraction is an important step for recovery of rare earth materials, purification, radionuclide production, and preparation of nuclear reactor materials. Tributyl phosphate (TBP) and toluene are taken as extractant and diluent, respectively, for study of extraction efficiency for rare earth element like CeO2. Methods: In the present paper, idea of ultrasonic sound theory is intensively applied to study the physicochemical property of extractants and diluent pair. Results: The experimental value of ultrasonic velocity, measured density, molar volume, and viscosity are used for computation of acoustical parameters and their excess values. The variations of physical and acoustical parameter are discussed in terms of molecular interactions. The prepared samples are treated for extraction of CeO2 by separating the organo-aqueous phase. The recovery of this reactor material with the help of this ultrasonic technique has been explained in terms of nature and extent of intermolecular interactions present in the binary mixture. Conclusions: The ultrasonic treatment for the recovery of this material provides an optimum value of the binary mixture for recovery of CeO2.