• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2018

In this study, the electrochemical redox behavior of neodymium in non-aqueous electrolytes was investigated to confirm the possibility of neodymium metallurgy at room temperature. The non-aqueous electrolytes include ionic liquids such as $[C_4mim]PF_6$, $[C_4mim]Cl$, and $[P_{66614}]PF_6$, ethanol which are highly soluble in neodymium salts, and mixed electrolytes based on carbonate with highly electrochemical stability. The electrochemical redox properties of neodymium were better than those of other electrolytes in the case of the mixed electrolyte based on ethylene carbonate (EC)/di-ethylene carbonate (DEC). Ethanol was added to improve the physical properties of the mixed electrolyte. Thorough the analysis about ionic conductivity of EC/DEC ratio, ethanol content and $NdCl_3$ concentration, the best electrolyte composition was 50 vol% content of ethanol and 0.5 M of $NdCl_3$. Using cyclic voltametry and linear sweep voltametry, a current peak estimated at -3.8 V (vs. Pt-QRE) was observed as a limiting current of neodymium reduction. Potentiostatic electrolysis for 18 hours at room temperature at -6 V (vs. Pt-QRE) confirmed that metallic neodymium was electrodeposited.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.347-357
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• 2018

The applicability of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([$C_nmim$] [$Tf_2N$]), was investigated for the extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) from nitric acid using n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl carbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) as extractants. The distribution ratios of Am(III) and Eu(III) in CMPO-TBP/[$C_nmim$][$Tf_2N$] were measured as a function of various parameters such as the concentrations of nitric acid, CMPO, and TBP. The results were compared with those obtained in CMPO-TBP/n-dodecane (n-DD). With comparable concentrations of the extractants, the distribution ratios obtained with RTILs were much higher than those obtained with n-DD. It was observed that the extraction efficiency was less for Eu(III) than for Am(III). The extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) decreased with increases in the feed acidity for all three RTILs. The results suggest that the extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) by CMPO in RTILs from nitric acid proceeds through the cation-exchange mechanism. The distribution ratios of Am(III) and Eu(III) increased with increases in the concentration of CMPO for all three RTILs. A linear regression analysis of the extraction data resulted in a straight line with a slope of about 3, suggesting the involvement of 3 molecules of CMPO during the extraction process.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.425-429
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• 2014

Pd on charcoal particles were prepared by wet impregnation to develop commercial catalyst for aerobic benzyl alcohol oxidation. Especially, one of room temperature ionic liquids, [Hmim][$PF_6$], was used as an effective solvent in the synthesis to improve the metal dispersion of the catalysts. Among the Pd/Charcoal with various Pd concentrations, 7.5 wt% catalyst showed the higher catalytic activity and stability. Moreover, Ag was used as a promoter with various ratios in catalyst preparation. Under identical reaction conditions, the catalyst with 9 : 1 of Pd and Ag weight ratios was most active due to higher metal dispersion.