As a relatively new extractant, di-(2,3-dimethylbutyl)-phosphinic acid(HYY-2) is more efficient to separate heavy rare earths Tm/Yb/Lu than Cyanex 272 and P507. In this paper, HYY-2 was synthesized in our lab, and the extraction equilibrium, thermodynamics and stripping acidity for La, Gd and Y, which stood for light rare earth elements(REE), middle REE and heavy REE respectively, from nitrate media with this extractant were investigated. Meanwhile, extraction ability, capacity and stripping acidity of HYY-2 were investigated and compared with those of Cyanex 272 and P507. The separation performance for rare earth element couples Gd/Eu and Er/Y were also studied. Compared to Cyanex 272, it possessed higher extraction capacity; while compared with P507, it has lower stripping acidity. The maximum β_(Gd/Eu) 1.46 occurred at pH _(equilibrium)=2.78 and the maximum β_(Er/Y) was 1.47 when pH_(equilibrium)= 2.01.
The Li Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 is first obtained by the controlled crystallization method and then coated with Ni3(PO4)2particles. The effects of the coating on rate capability and cycle life at high cut-off voltage are investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic measurements. The element ratio of Ni:Mn:Co is tested by inductively-coupled plasma spectrometer(ICP) analysis and it testified to be 1:1:1. It is indicated that Ni3(PO4)2-coated Li Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 has an outstanding capacity retention, where 99% capacity retention is maintained after 10 cycles at 5C discharge rate between 2.7 V and 4.6 V. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) results show that the current exchange density i0 of the coated sample is higher than that of Li Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2, which is beneficial to its electrochemical performances. All the conclusions show that the Ni3(PO4)2coating can prominently enhance the high rate performance of the Li Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2, especially at high cut-off voltage.
