Premium
Selective extraction of Hf( IV ) over Zr( IV ) from aqueous H 2 SO 4 solutions by solvent extraction with acidic organophosphorous based extractants
Author(s) -
Banda Raju,
Min Soo Hwan,
Lee Man Seung
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.4249
Subject(s) - extraction (chemistry) , chemistry , solvent extraction , aqueous solution , selectivity , metal , nuclear chemistry , solvent , metal ions in aqueous solution , chromatography , catalysis , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND The present paper describes the selective extraction of Hf( IV ) over Zr( IV ) using two acidic extractants ( D2EHPA and Cyanex 272) and its mixture with LIX 63 from sulphate medium. To achieve this, extractant and H 2 SO 4 concentrations were varied and results obtained. RESULTS Selective extraction of Hf( IV ) over Zr( IV ) was possible using D2EHPA /or Cyanex 272 at 2 mol L ‐1 and higher H 2 SO 4 solutions. For all investigated experimental conditions, D2EHPA exhibited greater efficiency than Cyanex 272 for the extraction of Hf( IV ). Compared with either D2EHPA or Cyanex 272 alone, binary extractant mixtures ( D2EHPA + LIX 63, Cyanex 272+ LIX 63) did not show much selectivity towards the extraction of Hf( IV ) over Zr( IV ). Extraction with D2EHPA at 4 mol L ‐1 H 2 SO 4 solution led to a separation factor around 30 between Hf( IV ) and Zr( IV ). CONCLUSIONS Hf( IV ) was selectively extracted over Zr( IV ) in the investigated systems, with a good separation factor. Results indicated the possibility of separating the metal ions by selective extraction of Hf( IV ). The selective extraction of Hf( IV ) is important and advantages in separation give the potential for application in nuclear science and technology. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry