S. Akita et al., Separation of Co(II)/Ni(II) via micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration using organophosphorus acid extractant solubilized by nonionic surfactant, J MEMBR SCI, 162(1-2), 1999, pp. 111-117
Ultrafiltration (UF) of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) in the presence of a mice
lle-solubilized hydrophobic ligand has been investigated, using polyoxyethy
lene nonyl phenyl ether with 10 ethylene oxide units (PONPE10) and 2-ethylh
exyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (EHPNA) as a nonionic surfacta
nt and an extractant, respectively. In aqueous media, the metals are entrap
ped within the surfactant micelles containing the extractant, and are effec
tively rejected by UF membranes with their consequent concentration in the
retentate solution. The selective rejection of Co(II) over Ni(II) can be at
tained; the separation is enhanced with increasing solution pH and the extr
actant concentration. On the other hand, it was found that sodium dodecyl s
ulfate (SDS) as a surfactant and di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) a
s an extractant give no selectivity between these heavy metals in the same
operation. The effects of the surfactant concentration, applied pressure, s
alt addition and the membrane geometry on the rejection were also examined
in the EHPNA/PONPE10 system. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese
rved.