A review of chromatographic analysis for rare-earth elements with focus on Ln resin

The demand for rare-earth elements (REEs) is increasing owing to their significance as prominent materials in electronics, high-tech industries, geological research, nuclear forensics, and environmental monitoring. In general, the utilization of REEs in various applications requires the use of chromatographic techniques to separate individual elements. However, REEs have similar physicochemical properties, which makes them difficult to separate. Recently, several studies have examined the separation of REEs using LN resin as the stationary phase and aqueous nitric acid and hydrochloric acid solutions as eluents. Using this method, light REEs have been separated using dilute acid solutions as the eluent, whereas heavy REEs are separated using solutions with high acid concentrations. To increase the separation resolution between different REEs, either the column length or resin size is changed. In addition, the suggested methods are implemented to decrease the analysis time. This review presents technical information on the chromatographic separation of REEs using the LN resin and discusses the optimal experimental conditions.