The aim of the work is to provide a comparative study of influence of ionic radii of neodymium and scandium ions on their sorption process from corresponding sulfates by individual ion exchangers Amberlite IR120, AB-17-8 and interpolymer system Amberlite IR120-AB-17-8. Experiments were carried out by using the following physicochemical methods of analysis: conductometry, pH-metry, colorimetry, and atomic-emission spectroscopy. Ion exchangers in the interpolymer system undergo remote interactions with a further transition into highly ionized state. There is the formation of optimal conformation in the structure of the initial ion exchangers. A significant increase of ionization of the ion-exchange resins occurs at molar ratio of Amberlite IR120:AB-17-8 = 5:1. A significant increase of sorption properties is observed at this ratio due to the mutual activation of ion exchangers. The average growth of sorption properties in interpolymer system Amberlite IR120:AB-17-8 = 5:1 is over 90% comparatively to Amberlite IR120 and almost 170% comparatively to AB-17-8 for neodymium ions sorption; for scandium ions sorption the growth is over 65% comparatively to Amberlite IR120 and almost 90% comparatively to AB-17-8. A possible reason for higher sorption of neodymium ions in comparison with scandium ions is maximum conformity of globes of internode links of Amberlite IR120 and AB-17-8 after activation to sizes of neodymium sulfate in an aqueous medium.

The research is aimed at checking the impact of a remote interaction phenomenon on growth of sorption properties of ion-exchange resins during sorption of europium ions. Industrial ion exchangers Amberlite IR120 and AB-17-8 were selected as objects for the study. Investigation was undertaken using the following physico-chemical methods of analysis: conductometry, pH-metry, colorimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and atomic emission spectroscopy. Remote interaction of the initial ion exchangers in the interpolymer system leads to their transition into highly ionized state due to formation of optimal conformation. Found that high ionization areas of Amberlite IR120 and AB-17-8 are the molar ratios Amberlite IR120:AB-17-8 = 4:2 and 1:5. The remote interaction effect provides significant increase of the following sorption properties: sorption degree, polymer chain binding degree, effective dynamic exchange capacity. A strong increase of the sorption properties (average increase for all time of remote interaction is over 50%) in the interpolymer system Amberlite IR120-AB-17-8 was observed with individual polymer structures of Amberlite IR120 and AB-17-8. The remote interaction phenomenon can be successfully used for effective modification of industrial ion exchangers for sorption of rare-earth metals.

Some technological solutions contain valuable components and can become an additional source of rare-earth elements to satisfy the current production demands. This research provides the study on using a combination of polyacrylic acid hydrogel (hPAA) and hydrogel of poly-4-vinylpyridine (hP4VP) in different molar ratios for praseodymium ions sorption from its nitrate solution. The mutual activation of the hydrogels in an aqueous medium provides their transformation into a highly ionized state by the conformational and electrochemical changes in properties during their remote interaction. The electrochemical properties of solutions were studied by the methods of electrical conductivity, and pH measurements of the solutions. The research showed that the maximum activation of hydrogels was revealed within the molar ratio of hPAA:hP4VP equal to 1:5. Moreover, the total praseodymium ions sorption degree after 24 hours of sorption by individual hPAA and hP4VP was 54 % and 47 %, respectively, whereas the praseodymium ions sorption degree by the hPAA–hP4VP intergel system in the molar ratio 1:5 became 62 %. A slight increase in the sorption degree of praseodymium ions by the intergel system in comparison with individual hydrogels can be explained by the achievement of a higher ionization degree of hydrogels being activated in the hPAA–hP4VP interpolymer system by the remote interaction effect.

Rare earth elements play an important role in the production, energy, and high technology. Due to the rapid development of industry, the demand for rare earth metals is rising every day. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the extraction of rare earth metals from various sources to meet the demand for these elements. Currently, pyro- and hydrometallurgical technologies are used to extract rare earth metals from an ore and other secondary sources (industrial wastewater, acid drainage mines, etc.). Hydrometallurgical technologies include precipitation, extraction, adsorption, and ion exchange methods. Adsorption is one of the most effective methods for the extraction and separation of rare earth elements. Adsorption methods are highly selectivity to metal ions and have low emissions. However, not all adsorbents are effective in producing the same metal ions. This study provides an overview of the different adsorbents that can be used to extract rare earth elements from aquatic systems. Hydrogels and molecular polymers have been found to be cost-effective methods for high-grade rare earth metals. Further research is needed to ensure the performance of these systems.

Electrochemical properties of intergel system polyacrylic acid (gPAA) and poly-4-vinylpyridine hydrogels (gP4VP) and conformational properties of initial hydrogels were studied depending on hydrogels initial state. Maximum activation area is: for dry hydrogels – gPAA:gP4VP ratios 5:1 and 1:5, for swollen – ratios 5:1, 2:4 and 1:5.

The growing demand for rare earth elements (REE) requires the search for economically viable materials to efficiently recover REE from various solutions. Our research aims to investigate the potential of using a combination of the ion exchangers Lewatit CNP LF (in H⁺ form) and AV-17-8 (in OH⁻ form) as an interpolymer system, “Lewatit CNP LF@AV-17-8” (X:Y), with varying mass ratios of X:Y to enhance the sorption efficiency of lutetium ions from nitrate solution. During the study, we used a range of analytical methodologies, including gravimetry, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Our findings demonstrate that the interpolymer system “Lewatit CNP LF@AV-17-8” (X:Y), with a mass ratio of 4:2, exhibited a significantly enhanced sorption rate of Lu³⁺ ions (42%) compared to the individual Lewatit CNP LF (6:0) (25%) and the individual AV-17-8 (0:6) (21%) over a 48 h period. Moreover, this interpolymer system has demonstrated notable conformity to the Freundlich adsorption model, highlighting its performance as an effective sorbent for lutetium (III) ions. Notably, our study presents a novel utilization of the interpolymer system “Lewatit CNP LF@AV-17-8” (4:2), with an adsorption capacity of 221.05 mg/g, to enhance the recovery of lutetium ions. The research findings demonstrate its potential for enhancing the recovery of REE.