Quantitative Separation of Thorium from Rare Earth Elements and Uranium in a Rare Earth Element Sulfuric Acid Leachate Using Cloud Point Extraction

•A new cloud extraction system selective to thorium using H2DEH[MDP] and Triton X-100 was developed.•Extraction yields>97% were obtained for Th.•Selective and quantitative separation of Th from U and REE was possible in sulfuric acid.•High decontamination factors are reported for most elements present in a rare earth elements sulfuric acid leachate.•The CPE system can be scaled easily and maintain its outstanding extraction performances.