Zinc(II) Extraction from Hydrochloric Acid Solutions using Amberlite XAD-7 Impregnated with Cyphos IL 101 (Tetradecyl(Trihexyl)Phosphonium Chloride)

Abstract

Cyphos IL 101 (tetradecyl(trihexyl)phosphonium chloride) was immobilized on Amberlite XAD-7. The extractant impregnated resin (EIR) was very efficient at removing Zn(II) from HCl solutions (optimum found between 2 and 4 M HCl). Metal ions were removed as anionic chlorocomplexes (ZnCl₄ ²⁻) by ion exchange mechanism. The sorption strongly depended on the Cyphos IL 101 concentration in the EIR. The maximum sorption capacity was close to 20 mg Zn(II) g⁻¹ EIR (i.e. 0.40 mol Zn(II) mol⁻¹ Cyphos IL 101). The uptake kinetics were controlled by intraparticle diffusion (D_e: 1.2 10⁻¹¹ − 6 10⁻¹¹ m² min⁻¹). Zn(II) can be easily desorbed using a number of eluents (including water and 0.1 M solution of HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and Na₂SO₄), which maintained performance levels over 5 cycles.

Keywords:

• Amberlite XAD-7
• cyphos IL 101 (tetradecyl(trihexyl)phosphonium chloride)
• impregnated resins
• ionic liquids
• isotherms
• kinetics
• Zn(II) extraction

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank the Franco-Mexican PCP (Post-Graduate Cooperation Program, Ref. PCP 05/06) and CONACyT (Ref. 52961 and U44768-Q) for financial support.