Separation of Samarium, Europium, and Gadolinium by Extraction with Organophosphorus Acids

Abstract The features of distribution are studied and a complex technology for the separation of samarium, europium, and gadolinium is proposed. This technology involves the initial isolation of 70–80% of the europium concentrate by extraction with organophosphorus acids, which makes it relatively easy to obtain pure compounds of samarium and gadolinium in subsequent operations. At the last stage, europium is isolated by chemical reduction and the captured samarium and gadolinium are returned to the beginning of the process. The content of the main substance in the resulting oxides is 99.9–99.99 wt %.