Characterization of the interaction of rare earth elements with P507 in a microfluidic extraction system using spectroscopic analysis

An attempt to characterize the interaction of rare earth elements with P507 in a microfluidic extraction system containing lactic acid as complexing agent is made using spectroscopic (FT-IR, UV–Vis, NMR and MS) analysis. The role of lactic acid in the extraction process is analyzed. The extraction mechanism confirmed that lactic acid does not involve in the extraction reaction. A comparative analysis of the composition of the extracts using FT-IR, UV–Vis, NMR and MS methods, indicates that the extracted complexes of rare earth ions located in the center is formed by the cation exchange process between POH and RE3+, and coordination process between PO and RE3+.