Process for making modified DTPA-associated organosilica media for use in solid-liquid extraction of rare earth elements
A process for making modified diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-associated media for use in solid-liquid extraction of rare earth elements is disclosed. The process includes functionalizing DTPA with hydrophobic groups to form modified DTPA; dissolving the modified DTPA into a methanol solution; loading the modified DTPA solution to a solid support; rotating the modified DTPA-loaded solid support to allow for association; and removing the methanol to obtain the modified-DTPA-associated media.
1. A modified DTPA-associated media for use in solid-liquid extraction, comprising modified diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) chemically associated via hydrophobic interactions with a hydrophobic solid support, wherein the modified DTPA includes DTPA functionalized with hydrophobic groups.
2. The modified DTPA-associated media of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic solid support is an organosilica platform.
3. The modified DTPA-associated media of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic groups includes one or more alkyl groups.
4. The modified DTPA-associated media of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic groups includes two hydrophobic ethylhexyl groups.
5. The modified DTPA-associated media of claim 1 , wherein the modified DTPA has the following formula:
wherein R is C 4 H 9 , C 6 H 13 , C 12 H 25 , C 14 H 29 , or C 16 H 33 .
6. A process for making modified diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-associated media for use in solid-liquid extraction of rare earth elements, comprising:
functionalizing DTPA with hydrophobic groups to form modified DTPA;
dissolving the modified DTPA into a methanol solution;
loading the modified DTPA solution to a solid support;
rotating the modified DTPA-loaded solid support to allow for association; and
removing the methanol to obtain the modified DTPA-associated media;
wherein the modified DTPA is chemically associated via hydrophobic interactions with the solid support.
7. The process of claim 6 , wherein the hydrophobic groups includes one or more alkyl groups.
8. The process of claim 6 , wherein the hydrophobic groups includes two hydrophobic ethylhexyl groups.
9. The process of claim 6 , wherein the modified DTPA has the following formula:
wherein R is C 4 H 9 , C 6 H 13 , C 12 H 25 , C 14 H 29 , or C 16 H 33 .
10. The process of claim 6 , wherein the solid support comprises an organosilica platform.
11. The process of claim 6 , wherein rotating the modified DTPA-loaded solid support includes centrifuging the modified DTPA-loaded solid support in the methanol solution at 15-50 rpm for approximately 1-5 hours at ambient temperature.
12. The modified DTPA-associated media of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic groups anchor the modified DTPA to the solid support through hydrophobic interactions.
13. The modified DTPA-associated media of claim 1 , wherein the modified DTPA remains chemically associated via said hydrophobic interactions with the solid support for at least five (5) cycles of re-use.
14. A solid-liquid extraction sorbent, comprising:
a modified DTPA-associated media including modified diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) chemically associated with an organosilica solid support, wherein the modified DTPA includes DTPA functionalized with two hydrophobic groups; and
wherein the two hydrophobic groups anchor the modified DTPA to the organosilica solid support through hydrophobic interactions.
15. The solid-liquid extraction sorbent of claim 14 , wherein the two hydrophobic groups includes one or more alkyl groups.
16. The solid-liquid extraction sorbent of claim 14 , wherein the hydrophobic groups includes two hydrophobic ethylhexyl groups.
17. The solid-liquid extraction sorbent of claim 14 , wherein the modified DTPA has the following formula:
wherein R is C 4 H 9 , C 6 H 13 , C 12 H 25 , C 14 H 29 , or C 16 H 33 .