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Mechanism of the extraction of Molybdenum(VI) from diluted HCl and HNO3 solutions with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid


JO Ojo
OO Ajayi

Abstract

The mechanism of extraction of Mo (VI) from diluted HCl and HNO3 solutions with di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) dissolved in n-hexane has been investigated. The mechanism of extraction from both acids at pH 1.0 – 6.0 was found to be majorly by cation exchange of MoO22+ for H+ of the extractant (H2R2), while at lower pH value, it was observed to be by neutral, unstable isopoly acid, H4Mo8O26 or nMoO3.2H2O and MoO22+. The extraction efficiency was maximal at pH 1.0 for both acids, E% = 84.8 and 80.0 for HCl and HNO3 media respectively. From the method of slope analysis, the number of D2EHPA molecules associated with MoO22+ was found to be two at pH = 1.0.

Keywords: Extractant, cation exchange, isopoly acid, slope analysis.

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eISSN: 1997-342X
print ISSN: 1991-8631