Solvent extraction of molybdenum from hydrochloric acid solutions with tri-octyl phosphine oxide : comparison between conventional and microwave-assisted extraction techniques

Abstract EN

In this paper, the solvent extraction of molybdenum from 0.01-1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid using tri-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) as solvent diluted with n- hexane has been investigated.

The extraction efficiencies of TOPO in the extraction of molybdenum were carried out using conventional extraction and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) techniques.

Molybdenum extraction efficiency was determined by varying separately the different parameters affecting the extraction process including agitation time, hydrochloric acid concentration, solvent concentration (in the organic phase), as well as the irradiation time and microwave power.

The MAE technique greatly enhanced the solvent extraction of molybdenum where high extraction percentages were obtained under favorable conditions.

In some cases, the percentages extraction of molybdenum obtained with two methods were comparable.

The use of MAE technique also showed obvious advantages in terms of a drastic reduction of the extraction time as it was shortened from 15 min to 10 s in comparison with conventional solvent extraction method.