Recovery of europium by electrochemical reduction from sulfate solutions

Yorukoglu A., Girgin I.

HYDROMETALLURGY, vol.63, no.1, pp.85-91, 2002 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 63 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2002
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/s0304-386x(01)00215-8
  • Journal Name: HYDROMETALLURGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.85-91
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Polarization behaviour of Eu, Sm, and Gd was investigated in acidic sulfate solutions using Cu and Cu-Hg cathodes and electrolytic reduction-precipitation of europium from sulfate solutions was studied using a mercury-coated copper electrode. The effect of magnetic stirring, N-2 gas sparging, and use of a cation permeable membrane on electrolytic reduction was determined. Europium recovery of 71.9% for magnetic stirring increases to 74.4% for N-2 gas sparging and to 79.5% for N-2 gas sparging + membrane system. The purity of the precipitated EuSO4 is 98.5%, 96.0%, and 94.4%, respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.