Thanks a lot!

Maybe my question was not clear. The aim is to isolate the entire crystalline structure containing the lanthanide atom (not to extract the Ln ions). I'd like to know if it is possible to isolate the crystalline structure containing the lanthanide atoms via chemical solution.

Hi, Emanuela!

Are you working with all the lanthanoids or is there one in particular you are more interested in? Although the lanthanoids are similar, there are slight differences in their ionic radii which may affect the solubility/crystallization/chemical reactivity. Also, when you say minerals, do you mean oxides? If so, the you need to dissolve them in something first, likely a suitable, strong acid.

regards,

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

thank you! When I say minerals, I mean oxides, phosphate, oxalate, etc... containig Ln. I need to trap these minerals (in the liquid solution), not dissolve them (not extract Ln ions). What do you think about oleic acid, to trap them?

Emanuela

Hi,

You can separate the Individual minerals  using Frantz-iso-

dynamic separator . Magnetic grains were remo-

ved at low amperage and minerals of low magnetic

susceptibilities were separated by increasing the amper-

age progressively 4 ,and

followed Gravity separation using heavy

liquids, viz. bromoform (density 2.89), tetrabromo ethane

(2.97) and methylene iodide (3.33)  for separa-

tion of heavy minerals from sieved fractions, which can be

washed with acetone and dried.