Selective separation of In(III), Ga(III), and Zn(II) from dilute solution using solvent-impregnated resin containing di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid

The aim of this work was to study the separation of In(III), Ga(III), and Zn(II) from sulfate solution using solvent-impregnated resin containing di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid. The influence of pH on the extraction of each metal was determined. Extraction isotherms were then studied at selected pH. Results showed that In(III) can be first extracted from aqueous solutions at pH 2 using the resin, then Ga(III) and Zn(II) coextracted at pH 3, and the separation can be carried out by using different concentrations of eluents. Loaded resins can be regenerated, and the metals can be recovered selectively. Two fixed-bed columns arranged in series were successfully used for the separation and recovery of these three metal ions from multi-component solution. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.