Extraction of cobalt (II)‎ from sulphate medium and possible separation from nickel (II)‎

Abstract EN

A study has been made on the extraction of Co (II) from sulphate solution using Cyanex 272, [bis (2, 4, 4-trimethyl pentyl) phosphinic acid] dissolved in kerosene.

The results demonstrated that the addition of TBP as a modifier to the organic phase avoids the problem of phases disengagement and consequently enhances the extraction process.

Accordingly, it has been found that, about 85% of Co(II) of initial concentration of 100 ppm, is extracted from a sulphate solution of pH 5.5 using 0.1 M Cyanex 272 modified with 5% by volume of TBP in kerosene.

The extraction percentage has been found to increase to more than 95% by increasing the Cyanex 272 concentration to 0.6 M.

Possible separation of Co (II) from Ni (II) was also investigated.

Maximum separation between the two elements has been achieved from sulphate solution of pH 5.0 using 0.1M Cyanex 272 modified with 5% by volume TBP diluted with kerosene.