| Abstract: | The third phase formation in the extraction of zirconium(IV) from nitric acid media by TRPO(trialkyl phosphine oxide)/kerosene was studied. The limiting organic concentrations (LOC) of Zr(IV) under various experimental conditions were determined. Low temperature and high nitric acid concentrations (> 3 M) were found to facilitate the third phase formation, while increasing the concentration of TRPO or adding phase modifier (TBP) into the organic phase resulted in increased LOC of Zr(IV). When the third phase appeared, the conductivity in the organic phase changed sharply, indicating the change of aggregating behavior in the organic phase. FT-IR spectra were used to illustrate the interaction of TRPO with HNO3 or Zr(IV), and the composition of the two organic phases indicated by FT-IR spectra was consistent with a diluent-enriched light phase and a zirconium/TRPO-concentrated heavy phase. |
