A Review of Niobium-Tantalum Separation in Hydrometallurgy

Abstract

Niobium and tantalum are chemically similar and are associated with each other in nature which makes it very difficult to separate. For many years, the separation of tantalum from niobium involved the fractional crystallization of potassium heptafluorotantalate away from potassium oxypentafluoroniobate monohydrate, this method has been supplanted by solvent extraction from fluoride-containing solutions by the use of solvent extractants such as Octanol, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA), Alamine 336, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), tri-nbutyl phosphate (TBP) or cyclohexanone. A detailed review of the various processes involved in the breakdown treatment of niobium and tantalum primary sources, extraction and separation and newer processes of extraction as well as the various technique involved were discussed.

Upgrading tantalum and niobium oxides content in Bangka tin slag with double leaching

“…In nature, tantalum pentoxide (Ta 2 O 5 ) is always accompanied by niobium pentoxide (Nb 2 O 5 ). Both oxides minerals have chemical properties similarities [6]. Due to the tantalum low availability, I have done many researches to recovery tantalum from tin slags [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

The Evolution of the Niobium Production in Brazil

“…The physical and mechanical properties of the Nb are influenced by the purity of the metal, so even small quantities of interstitial impurities may promote degradation of the properties of the metal. The main impurities of Nb products in accordance with specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), are oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, iron, molybdenum and tungsten [7][8] . The physico-chemical properties of niobium are similar to tantalum, implying an occurrence together in nature, so that it becomes difficult their separation.…”

“…One of the methods consists in the hydrometallurgy process known by use of methyl isobutyl ketone, under acidic conditions. This procedure allows the isolation of niobium pentoxide (Nb 2 O 5 ) which can be reduced from use of aluminum, known as aluminothermic process which generates niobium and aluminum oxide [7][8] . The tables that follow show the main properties of niobium [9][10][11] : physic-chemical (Table 1) and mechanical ( Table 2).…”

“…Also, it has a higher strengthto-weight ratio compared to metals titanium, nickel, vanadium and zirconium. This is an important industrial, where weight is an important factor in the industrial use of the property Nb [7][8][9][10][11] . The Nb presents high and higher values for the mechanical properties compared to ferrous metals in general, such as tensile strength and modulus of elasticity.…”

Salting Out Effect of Electrolyte Solutions in The Extraction of Tantalum and Niobium Using Aqueous Biphase System

“…It is part of the refractory metals group, which are widely used as minor component in alloys. The chemical inertness of tantalum makes it a valuable substance for laboratory equipment and a substitute for platinum, but its main use today is in tantalum capacitor (Ayanda and Adekola, 2011). Tantalite-columbite ore is mined primarily from pegmatite and associated alluvial sediments (Jide et al, 2005).…”