The invention relates to a method for separating
rare earth ions by extraction of a liquid-liquid-liquid three-phase
system, and belongs to the technical field of
rare earth extraction and separation. The method comprises the following steps of: adding a chemical complexing agent into an
aqueous solution containing the
rare earth ions, regulating the acidity of the solution, adding a water-soluble
high polymer and an
inorganic electrolyte salt, oscillating and mixing at
room temperature, and obtaining a
liquid phase system of upper and lower
layers; adding a hydrophobic
ionic liquid, fully mixing the solution at
room temperature, and obtaining an insoluble three-
liquid phase coexistence
system of upper, middle and lower
layers; and respectively taking the upper, middle and lower phases of the three-
liquid phase system, and reclaiming the
rare earth ions by using an electro-deposition method. According to the method, a volatile
organic solvent is not used, so that the phase forming behavior and the
phase separation process of the three-phase system are easily artificially controlled; and light, medium and heavy
rare earth ions are selectively enriched or grouped and separated in three different liquid phases respectively. Compared with conventional oil-water two-phase separation, the method has the advantages that: the process flow is greatly simplified, the method is quick in phase separation and avoids emulsifying, and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the
ionic liquid three-phase system are easily controlled.