Features of the extraction of yttrium and lanthanum with an intergel system based on hydrogels of polyacrylic acid and poly-4-vinylpyridine

Abstract

To predict the sorption activity and selectivity of hydrogels, the effect of mutual activation of polymer networks in the intergel system was studied. The intergel system of the hydrogel of polyacrylic acid ((hPAA)) and the hydrogel of poly-4-vinylpyridine (hP4VP), which was studied at a distance through the volume of the solvent in the absence of direct contact between the polymer networks, were chosen as the object of study. Intergel systems have been investigated using methods for measuring electrical conductivity, pH, and gravimetry. The mutual activation of La3+ and Y3+ ions with the intergel system in an aqueous medium was also studied. It has been established that as a result of the remote interaction of the studied hydrogels, their mutual activation oc-curs, leading to a significant change in their electrochemical and conformational properties. At certain ratios of acidic and basic hydrogels, a significant increase in the sorption of lanthanum and yttrium ions is observed in comparison with the initial hydrogels. These results indicate the appearance of ionized structures with optimal conformation, providing an optimal ligand environment around lanthanum and yttrium ions.