Rare earth amalgams concentration

The electrolysis of an alcoholic solution of a rare earth chloride on a mercury cathode (20 volts, current density 0.02 amp./cm ) yields an amalgam with a rare earth metal concentration of up to 3%. The mercury is removed ly vacuum distillation, leaving behind the pure rare earth metal. 

Manipulation. A concentrated solution of the anhydrous rare earth chloride J in ethyl alcohol (20 to 30 g. chloroform per 100 ml. absolute ethanol) is electrolyzed using a 110-volt direct current with the cell in series with a variable resistance. The current density should not exceed 0.05 to Fig. i.—Ceil for 0.1 amp. per square centimeter in order to eaXamargam8.rare Prevent dispersion of the mercury. The solution is electrolyzed for 15 to 40 hours. Under these conditions, a liquid to pasty amalgam is obtained containing 1 to 3 per cent of rare earth metal by weight. Results of typical runs are given in the accompanying table. 

Concentration of Amalgams. Rare earth metal amalgams may be concentrated with respect to their rare metal content by removal of mercury through distillation under reduced pressure. An all-glass distilling apparatus should be used for this purpose, since cork or rubber stoppers will not withstand the temperature required to eliminate much of the mercury. The apparatus depicted in Fig. 2 has been found satisfactory for this purpose. 

These concentrated amalgams are very pyrophoric and on contact with air or moisture take fire or glow. By heating to temperatures around 1000°C. in a vacuum furnace the remainder of the mercury may be removed to give the rare earth metals in very pure form.26,20... 

Acetic acid-acetic anhydride, 85 Alkali azides, 79 Alkaline earth azides, 79 Alumino-oxalates, 36 Amalgams, 5 concentration of, 17 preparation of, 6 rare earth metal, 15 Ammonium nitrourethane, 69 Ammonium perrhenate, 177 Antimony oxyiodide, 105 Antimony triiodide, 104 Aquopentammino cobalti bromide, 187, 188... 

Rare earth chlorides, anhydrous, 28 Rare earth metals, 18 amalgams, concentration of, 17 Rhenium, metallic, 175 by reduction of ammonium per-rhenate, 177... 

Amalgams of rare earth metals (3% of the metal) are readily obtained by electrolysis of alcoholic solutions of the corresponding anhydrous chlorides at an Hg cathode and a graphite anode. These amalgams may be then further concentrated by distilling off the excess Hg. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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