Abstract: The extraction behavior of Ce(Ⅳ) from HNO3 medium by ionic liquid [C10mim][NTf2] was investigated. The effects of various parameters including time, feed concentration, HNO3 concentration, alkyl chain length, salt concentration and temperature on the extraction efficiency of Ce(Ⅳ) was measured. Enthalpy value of the extraction was calculated, which indicated the extraction of Ce(Ⅳ) is a spontaneously exothermic process. A plausible anion exchange mechanism was proposed for this process. The backward extraction efficiency of the Ce(Ⅳ) was 85.1% using 1.0 mol/L H2SO4 as strippant.

Key words: ionic liquids, [Cnmim][NTf2], cerium, extraction