Scandium Loading on Chelating and Solvent Impregnated Resin from Sulfate Solution

Adsorption of Sc onto two chelating resins, aminomethyl phosphonic (TP 260) and iminodiacetate (TP 209), and one solvent impregnated resin with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (TP 272) was investigated. Resin capacities, ion selectivity, adsorption kinetics, and equilibrium isotherms were measured. Sc speciation was predicted using chemical thermodynamic data. The kinetic data were fit to empirical models. The adsorption behavior was established by fitting equilibrium data to Langmuir and Freudlinch isotherms. Process variables such as pH, sulfate concentration, and temperature were considered. This new information will be used for hydrometallurgical process selection for Sc recovery.