Comparative study of solvent extraction of molybdenum by various extractants

Abstract

Solvent extraction of molybdenum from various acid media by Alamine 336, Aliquat 336, TOPO, and DEHPAin kerosene was studied. The extraction efficiency of molybdenum by diisobutyl ketone (DIBK), the effects of variousparameters like diluents, mineral acids, extractant concentration, and applications of these extractants on molybdenumextraction contained in the uranium-bearing ore solutions were investigated. DIBK used as solvent can indeed extractthe molybdenum without adding any extractants in the range of 20–50 mg/L. Molybdenum was extracted by Aliquat336 in all mineral acids at more than 90%. On the basis of slope analysis, the compositions of the extracted species wereexpressed by R3 NH + .HMoO−4, MoO2 (NO3)2 (DEHPA) 2 , and H2 MoO4 .TOPO. Extraction from synthetic solutionsshowed that molybdenum was extracted by TOPO, Aliquat 336, and Alamine 336 at 99% until [Mo] = 5 g/L. For DEHPAthe percentage of extraction was decreased from [Mo] = 2 g/L. The application of these extractants for the extractionefficiency of molybdenum contained in uranium-bearing solutions showed that TOPO, Aliquat 336, and Alamine 336extracted the molybdenum beyond 60% until the fifth contact. As for DEHPA, it was extracted effectively only at thefirst contact by 66%.