Micelle Mediated Extraction of Neodymium and Electrochemical Characterization of AOT Reverse Micelles

Abstract

The surfactant bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) effects on neodymium (Nd) extraction from aqueous phase in electric fieldimposed extraction processes were studied. With the application of an external electric field (0 -1.4 kV m -1 ) and gentle stirring, a slight to moderate increase in the extraction of Nd was observed relative to the Nd extracted without applied field for AOT, HDEHP and AOT+HDEHP. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique showed that as the reverse micelles molar water content (W o ), increased, conductivity increase. Addition of HDEHP caused a significant drop in solution conductivity. Temperature had a mild effect on increasing the conductivity.