Abstract
In this present study, we developed a new series of sorbents based on phenolic foam resin for the extraction of rare earth elements. Chelating phenolic foams were prepared using appropriate formulation of blowing agent, surfactant and curing acid agent and a prepolymer resulting from an alkaline polymerisation reaction of phenolic diglycolamide derivative with admixture of phenol, catechol or resorcinol in the presence of formaldehyde as crosslinker agent. The foaming copolymer resins were completely described and engaged in sorption studies with three types of lanthanide (La, Eu, Yb), which represent light, medium and heavy REEs, respectively.