Detailed study on simultaneous separation of rare earth elements by capillary electrophoresis

Separation of all rare earth elements (REEs) by capillary zone electrophoresis was investigated in a system of α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as a main complex reagent and acetic acid (HAc) as an assistant complex reagent. In the combined system, ligand Ac− plays an important role in improving separation of Eu and Gd, and Y and Dy. The calculated ratio of Ac− to HIB− concentrations was compared and demonstrated that Eu and Gd, and Y and Dy tend to be separated at lower, and higher ratio of the two free ligands, respectively. An operational buffer system was developed for a complete separation of all REE ions.