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Separation of rare earth elements by high-speed counter-current chromatography
E Kitazume1, M Bhatnagar, Y Ito
1Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Journal of Chromatography
|January 18, 1991
Summary
High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) effectively separates rare earth elements. This method utilizes optimized solvent systems and post-column detection for precise analysis of these biologically significant elements.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Separation Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial in industry and exhibit significant biological effects, including enhancing interferon activity.
- Accurate separation and analysis of REEs are vital for understanding their biological roles and applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel High-speed Counter-current Chromatography (HSCCC) method for separating rare earth elements.
- To optimize the separation parameters for closely related REEs using HSCCC.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a HSCCC centrifuge with a three-coil system and a two-phase solvent system (n-heptane with di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and dilute hydrochloric acid).
- Employed a mobile phase flow rate of 5 ml/min and apparatus rotation of 900 rpm.
- Implemented post-column reaction with arsenazo III for continuous detection and on-line monitoring at 650 nm.
Main Results:
- Achieved excellent isocratic separations of closely related rare earth elements with high partition efficiencies (thousands of theoretical plates).
- Demonstrated versatility through exponential gradient elution, resolving fourteen rare earth elements within 4.5 hours.
Conclusions:
- HSCCC is a powerful and versatile technique for the efficient separation and analysis of rare earth elements.
- The developed method offers high resolution and speed, suitable for complex REE mixtures relevant to biological and industrial applications.