Investigation of nanocomposite efficiency on the separation and purification processes of thorium and rare earth elements

Separation of thorium, uranium, and rare earth elements (REEs) requires selective materials with high capacity, good thermal, chemical and radiation resistance. For this aim, Zr, Si and Ti oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared using metal alkoxide precursors via hydrothermal method. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was used as a supporting material to obtain nanocomposite (NC) beads for the potential use in industrial scale applications. The surface characteristics and morphological properties of nano metal oxide powders and composites were determined. Metal uptake and separation studies of thorium and REEs were carried out from sulfuric acid leach solution of Beylikova ore.