The present study describes the extraction behavior of gallium(III) using a novel ionic liquid trihexyl(tetradecyl) phosphonium chloride (Cyphos IL 101) diluted with kerosene from acidic chloride medium. The extraction of gallium was found to depend on the hydrochloric acid concentration and quantitative extraction of gallium took place at mol/L HCl concentration. The nature of the extracted complex in the organic phase was determined using Job’s method and proposed to be [R3R′PGaCl4]. The loading capacity of ×10−3 mol/L Cyphos IL 101 was determined to be mg/L. Two stages of stripping were required for complete removal of gallium from the loaded organic phase using mol/L HCl. |
