Separation of nickel, cobalt and copper by solvent extraction with P204

Nickel, cobalt and copper were separated by solvent extraction with P204. The experimental results show that [Co(NH3)(6)](3+) is an inert complex in extraction kinetics, therefore cobalt can be separated from nickel and copper by non-equilibrium solvent extraction. Under the conditions of temperature 25 degreesC, contact time of two phases 10 min, phase ratio 1:1, aqueous pH 10.10 and concentration of P204 20%, [ Co(NH3)(6)](3+) is hardly extracted by P204, while the percentage extractions of nickel and copper are 79.3% and 93.9% respectively. Nickel and copper are separated by equilibrium solvent extraction with P204. Under the conditions of temperature 25 degreesC, contact time of two phases 1 min, phase ratio 1: 1, equilibrium pH 4.01 and concentration of P204 20%, the separation factor of copper and nickel is 216.