Cerium separation with NaBiO3 nanoflower material via an oxidation adsorption strategy

Abstract

Intralanthanide separation is essential for many advanced technological applications but is challenging due to similar chemical properties of various lanthanides. Herein, NaBiO₃ nanoflowers, with a unique nanostructure, are reported to exhibit both high adsorption capacity (∼190 mg g⁻¹) and optimal cerium selectivity (separation factors (SF) > 3000) for intralanthanide separation. Their oxidation properties and interlayer structure, as well as structure transformation after adsorption as determined by neutron powder diffraction, are found to be critical for their excellent intralanthanide separation ability. This material is also used for the separation of 5f-elements, affording superior americium/curium selectivity (SF ∼ 600). Furthermore, the utilities of NaBiO₃ nanoflowers in practical applications including the extraction of cerium from bastnaesite, recovery of cerium from simulated glass residues, and Am/Cm separation in the simulated high-level liquid waste are also achieved, providing an efficient method to address the challenges in inorganic separation.