Solvent Extraction Separation of Co(II) and Ni(II) from Weak Hydrochloric Acid Solution with Ionic Liquids Synthesized from Organophosphorus Acids

Abstract

In order to investigate the separation of Co(II) and Ni(II) by ionic liquids from weak hydrochloric acid solutions, extraction experiments were performed by changing the type and concentration of ionic liquids and the initial pH of the aqueous phase. Two kinds of ionic liquids based on Aliquat 336 were employed in this work; one was synthesized by reacting organophosphorus acids(D2EHPA, PC88A, Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301) with Aliquat 336 and the other was prepared by exchanging the chloride ion of Aliquat 336 with SCN. The three types of ionic liquids (ALi-D2, ALi-PC, and ALi-CY272) showed better extraction of Co(II) than Ni(II), and the equilibrium pH was higher than the initial pH. In the case of ALi-CY301, the selectivity of Co(II) and Ni(II) depended on the extraction conditions. In addition, the effect of the addition of TBP to the ionic liquid on the extraction of two metals was also investigated. Employment of ALi-SCN as an extractant resulted in selective extraction of Co(II) and complete separation of the two metal ions was possible.