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This study reports on the selective separation of scandium (Sc) from other rare earth metals (REMs) using a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM).

Extractant-impregnated resins (EIRs) prepared from 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (commercial name PC-88A), neodecanoic acid (Versatic 10), and XAD-7HP polymeric beads have been developed for separation and pre-concentration of scandium (Sc). The separation factors between Sc and other metal ions are very high, allowing for selective recovery of Sc from a complex metal-mixture solution. Furthermore, desorption of Sc is quantitatively achieved using 2 M sulfuric acid, which is di cult for single-extractant-impregnated resins. The adsorption behavior, kinetics, and loading capacity of the binary EIR were investigated. The good reusability of the resin was con rmed by ve times repeated use in recycling operation. This binary-extractant-impregnated concept could provide a new way to develop novel ion-exchange resins for metal separation.