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Selective extraction of Hf over Zr by a novel extractant (n-octyl)(2,4,4′-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (INET-1) from sulfuric acid media

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Abstract

A new Zr/Hf separation system was developed with a novel unsymmetrical dialkylphosphinic acid extractant (n-octyl)(2,4,4'-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (INET-1). It selectively extracts Hf over Zr, and shows much better Zr/Hf separation efficiency than organophosphorous acid Cyanex 272. The Zr and Hf extraction reactions at acidities of < 2 mol/L H2SO4 and > 5.5 mol/L H2SO4 are revealed, respectively. An organic phase with 10 mmol/L INET-1 can load > 290 mg/L of Hf at 1 mol/L H2SO4. Acidic H2SO4 solutions with concentration of 3.0–4.5 mol/L is a good Zr scrubbing agent.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51974026). Special thanks to Cytec Industries (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. for kindly providing us with Cyanex 272. We are very grateful to Peilong Wang and Chengyan Xu for ICP-OES determination.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, 51974026, Junlian Wang.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, , Beijing, 100083, China

    Junlian Wang, Hui Liu, Hongru Zhao & Huajun Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, Beijing, 100083, China

    Junlian Wang

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  1. Junlian Wang
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  2. Hui Liu
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  3. Hongru Zhao
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Correspondence to Junlian Wang.

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The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests

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Wang, J., Liu, H., Zhao, H. et al. Selective extraction of Hf over Zr by a novel extractant (n-octyl)(2,4,4′-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (INET-1) from sulfuric acid media. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 2473–2485 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08463-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08463-2

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