Ion imprinted polymer particles for separation of yttrium from selected lanthanides

Lanthanide(III) (Dy, Gd, Tb and Y) ion imprinted polymer (IIP) materials were synthesized via single pot reaction by mixing lanthanide imprint ion with 5,7‐dichloroquinoline‐8‐ol, 4‐vinylpyridine, styrene, divinylbenzene and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile in 2‐methoxyethanol porogen. The imprint ion was removed by stirring the above materials (after powdering) with 6 mol/L HCl to obtain the respective lanthanide IIP particles. Y‐Dy, Y‐Gd and Dy‐Gd polymer particles were obtained by physically mixing equal amounts of the respective leached individual lanthanide(III) particles. Control polymer (CP) particles were similarly prepared without imprint ion. Application of the above synthesized polymer particles was tested for separation of Y from Dy, Gd and Tb employing batch and column SPE methods using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for the determination. Optimization studies show that Y present in 500 mL can be preconcentrated using Dy‐Gd IIP particles and eluted with 20 mL of 1.0 mol/L of HCl, providing an enrichment factor of ˜ 25. Dy‐Gd IIP particles offer higher selectivity coefficients for Y over other lanthanides compared to other IIP particles and commercial liquid–liquid extractants. Selectivity studies for Y over other coexisting inorganic species (other than lanthanides) were also conducted and the results obtained show a quantitative separation of Y from other inorganics other than Cu(II) and Fe(III). Furthermore, both batch and column studies indicate the purification of yttrium concentrate from 55.0 ± 0.2 to 65.2 ± 0.2% in a single stage of operation.