Selective precipitation of rare earth orthophosphates with hydrogen peroxide from phosphoric acid solutions

Abstract

It has been shown for the first time that the use of hydrogen peroxide allows precipitation of rare earth orthophosphates (La–Tb) from phosphoric acid solutions at temperatures below 100°C. Either anhydrous or hydrated orthophosphates with monazite or rhabdophane structure, respectively, can be obtained depending on rare earth element position in lanthanide series and precipitation conditions (orthophosphoric acid and hydrogen peroxide concentration). Hydrated orthophosphates with rhabdophane structure can be prepared by precipitation with hydrogen peroxide for all studied rare earth elements.