LAUSR

Scandium is one of the most important and strategic metals that can be recovered as a byproduct from lateritic nickel-cobalt ores. In this research, different extractants were investigated to extract scandium from sulphate medium by using solvent extraction method. Generally, the organic extractants are classified as acidic, neutral and basic reagents. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare scandium extraction efficiencies of some acidic, neutral and basic organic reagents. For this reason, Ionquest 290 (Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpenthyl) phosphonic acid), DEHPA (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid), Cyanex 272 ((Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid) which are acidic organophosphorus compounds, Cyanex 923 (Trialkyl phosphine oxide), which is a neutral organophosphorus compound, and Primene JMT, a basic extractant, were used. The extraction efficiencies of these extractants were studied with respect to the extractant concentration at the same pH and O/A (organic/aqueous) phase ratio. As a result of this study, DEHPA and Primene JMT were found to have high scandium extraction efficiencies with lower impurity co-extractions at pH=0.55 with O/A phase ratio 1/1.