Selective and Synergistic Extraction of Nickel from Simulated Cr-Ni Electroplating Bath Solutions using LIX 63 and D2EHPA as Carriers

Abstract

The main goal of the present study is to explain synergistic extraction of nickel from simulated Cr-Ni electroplating bath solutions (SEBS) using 5,8-diethyl-7-hydroxydodecane-6-one oxime (LIX 63) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as extractants by emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) technique. The importance of membrane composition and aqueous phase properties on nickel extraction percentage has been highlighted for the selective extraction of nickel. Some important parameters like acid concentration, stripping solution type and concentration, mixing speed, extractant concentrations, phase ratio, and surfactant concentration was studied to improve the extraction and stripping efficiencies. Higher than > 99% of nickel was recovered at optimum conditions within 6 min. The higher separation factors (βNi/Cr) were obtained as 580. As a result, the nickel extraction kinetic with D2EHPA has been defined as faster than LIX63. So, the kinetic transport of nickel mainly depends on LIX63 than D2EHPA. According to these results, D2EHPA behaves as a synergistic extractant in the present extraction mechanism.