The investigation of stoichiometry and kinetics of cerium (IV) solvent extraction from sulfate medium by Cyanex 272 and 301 using single drop column

•The effect of variables on cerium extraction was studied.•The stoichiometry of cerium extraction by either Cyanex 272 or 301 was obtained.•Higher rate of cerium extraction was observed using Cyanex 272 than 301.•The rate equations was obtained using single drop column.•Mass diffusion controls the kinetics of reaction. In the present study, the solvent extraction of cerium (IV) from sulfate medium was investigated by Cyanex 272 and 301. The main objective was to increase our understanding of the behavior of analogous extractants, but different in donor atom, which were achieved by batch and kinetics investigations. This allows better selection of extractants for similar approaches in future works. The investigation of extraction kinetics using single drop columns provides this work with a simpler approach in term of overall procedure for the separation of cerium ions from aqueous solutions, which allows finding how experimental conditions control the rate of reaction. The effects of parameters such as pH, extractant concentration, organic to aqueous volume, and temperature were studied under batch conditions. The complete extraction of 200mgL−1 Ce (IV) at pH of 4 was obtained either by Cyanex 272 or 301 diluted in kerosene. Results shows that regarding the structural substitution of oxygen with sulfur, Cyanex 272 has a better performance in a lower concentration, while Cyanex 301 shows higher extraction percentage at lower pH. The extraction by Cyanex 272 and 301 was exothermic and endothermic, respectively. Results of reaction kinetics revealed that by considering the correction of droplets residence time, the rate of extraction either by Cyanex 272 or 301 is independent of the height of the column. Thus, the effects of extractants and cerium concentrations along with the pH of aqueous solution allowed finding the rate of extraction. The cerium mass flux increased by droplet diameter, indicating the contribution of mass diffusion in the extraction.