Selective leaching of rare earth elements from bauxite residue (red mud), using a functionalized hydrophobic ionic liquid

• DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2016.06.012
• Publication Date: 2016-06-17T19:22:57Z
• Authors: Panagiotis Davris; Efthymios Balomenos; Dimitrios Panias; Ioannis Paspaliaris
• Keywords: Residue (chemistry)

Abstract In this study the functionalized ionic liquid betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (HbetTf2N) has been applied directly on leaching bauxite residue, for achieving selective dissolution of rare earth elements (REE) against iron. Several factors have been examined such as leaching temperature, retention time, pulp density and water addition into the ionic liquid. It was found that moderate water addition, elevated temperatures and increased retention time provide up to 70–85% REE extraction yields with respective Fe extraction yield