Abstract
The macroscale separation of rhodium and iridium is a very complex system. This is based on the selective removal of [IrCl6]2− from the aqueous hydrochloric acid feed solution. There are number of factors involved in the separation process that need to be investigated from a fundamental point of view before their effects on the total system can be assessed. In this article an effort is made to understand the underlying chemistry involved in the separation of Ir(IV) from rhodium. The significance of secondary reactions relating to chlorination is studied and evaluated.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank UPE, Impala Platinum, THRIP, and the FRD for financial support.
Notes
aThe term chlorine in this context refers to all the different species originating from Cl2 and present in aqueous solutions. It will be referred to as [Cl2]total.