The silica materials which were composed of ionic liquids and di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) for Ce(Ⅲ) extraction were prepared via a sol-gel method. The hydrophobic ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C8 mim]PF6) was used as solvent medium. Ionic liquid was stably doped into the silica gel matrix providing a diffusion medium for HDEHP. The extraction of Ce(Ⅲ) was mainly due to the complexation of metal ions with HDEHP doped in the solid silica. In this study
composite materials were characterized by using SEM and FTIR to determine the surface topography and chemical constituents. Then
sorption behavior of Ce(Ⅲ) on composite materials was studied under ambient conditions by using a batch technique. Different composite materials and effect of shaking time on Ce(Ⅲ) sorption were also investigated. The results indicate that composite materials have higher removal efficiencies and excellent stability for metal ions extraction. The solid-liquid extraction by silica materials could be regarded as an effective method for metal ions extraction.