An experimental study on the extraction mechanisms of Ce(IV) from HNO3 solutions using C4mimNTf2 as extractant

A detailed extraction equilibrium study is experimentally performed to understand the extraction mechanisms of Ce(IV) by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (C 4 mimNTf 2 ) in 1,2-dichloroethane. Further, the influence of adding TBP on the distribution ratio is investigated and demonstrated. The ceric aqueous chemistry in the nitric acid solution and slope analysis are combined to reveal the extraction mechanism. The monovalent anionic complex HCe(NO 3 ) 6 − is the dominant species, which extracted by C 4 mimNTf 2 . Importantly, this study demonstrates the antagonistic effect between TBP and C 4 mimNTf 2 on the extraction process.