Solvent extraction of copper(II) from chloride solutions using 1,1′-dialkyl-2,2′-bibenzimidazoles as extractants
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Poznan University of Technology
Publication date: 2019-08-05
Physicochem. Probl. Miner. Process. 2019;55(5):1165-1178
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ABSTRACT
The solvent extraction ability of 1,1′-dialkyl-2,2′-bibenzimidazoles (L) for the recovery of
copper(II) ions from aqueous chloride solutions has been investigated. It was found that 1,1′-didecyl-
2,2′-bibenzimidazole is a useful extractant for the separation of copper(II) ions from both weakly and
strongly acidic solutions. Copper(II) can be effectively stripped of organic solutions by a water or
ammonia solution in a one-stage process. In low acidity media (pHfeed > 1), the extraction percentage of
Cu(II) increases with an increase in metal ions and chloride concentrations. Copper(II) ions are extracted
as binuclear complexes (CuCl2)2L2 (L = extractant). The constructed McCabe−Thiele diagram shows
that the reduction of copper(II) ions concentration from 25 to approximately 5 g/dm3 in an aqueous
feed is possible in two extraction stages. When [HCl]feed ≥ 1 M, (LH$) (CuCl&+)L complex is formed. &*
From the strongly acidic solutions ([HCl] = [LiCl] = 4 M), almost 100% of copper(II) ions can be removed by 1,1′-didecyl-2,2′-bibenzimidazole. Benzyl alcohol, used as an organic phase modifier, enables the selective extraction of copper(II) over zinc(II) ions from a weakly acidic chloride solution.