Interfacial complexation of copper(II) from chloride systems with extractant binary mixture

The rate of copper(II) extraction from chloride solutions by commercial extractants: ACORGA CLX-50 and LIX 54 used alone and in equimolar mixture 1 : 1 mole/mole were studied. The interfacial tension and co-adsorption at the hydrocarbon/ water interface for systems containing the individual extractants and their mixtures were measured. For kinetics studies a moving drop method was used. The interfacial tension was measured by a drop volume method. It was found that the rate of extraction in binary mixed system is lower in comparison with the rate of copper(II) extraction by individual solvating extractant and strongly depends on the concentration of chloride ions in the aqueous phase. The amount of copper(II) extracted by LIX 54 used alone is very low. The interfacial activity of ACORGA CLX-50 in the toluene/water system is much higher in comparison with LIX 54. The observed decrease of copper(II) extraction rate in systems containing equimolar mixtures of solvating and chelating extractants in the organic bulk solution can be explained as a result of the co-adsorption of the both extractants at the hydrocarbon/water interface.