Purification of metals
View Patent ↗A solid composition comprises: —MnO2; and—a compound represented by the general formula (I) wherein: R is a polymer; each Y is independently a hydrogen or a negative charge; Z is either hydrogen or is not present; each n is independently 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; wherein the MnO 2 is bound to the compound of formula (I) so as to coat the surface thereof. Such a composition may be used for the separation of polyvalent metal species, such as Mo, from one or more accompanying impurities.
1. A solid composition, comprising:
MnO 2 ; and
a compound represented by the general formula (I)
wherein:
R is a polymer;
each Y is independently a hydrogen or a negative charge;
Z is either hydrogen or is not present;
each n is independently 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;
wherein the MnO 2 is bound to the compound of formula (I) so as to coat the surface thereof.
2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein R is a copolymer.
3. The composition according to claim 2 , wherein R is a copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene, or derivatives thereof.
4. The composition of claim 2 , wherein R comprises a crosslinked polystyrene.
5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein n=1.
6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is particulate, optionally comprising particles of between about 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm in size.
7. A method of separating a polyvalent metal species from one or more accompanying impurities, comprising:
(i) contacting the polyvalent metal species and accompanying impurities with a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and binding the polyvalent metal species to the composition;
(ii) dissolving the MnO 2 and the polyvalent metal species bound thereto to form a solution thereof; and
(iii) contacting the solution with a complexing agent and contacting the solution with the compound of formula I exposed as a result of the dissolution of step (ii).
8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein step (iii) includes the addition of a reducing agent.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni, Pt, Mo, and Fe.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is selected from the group consisting of Co, Pb and Sn.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is Mo.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is a radioactive isotope.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is Mo-99.
14. The method of claim 7 , wherein in step (ii), the MnO 2 and polyvalent metal species bound thereto are dissolved in sulphuric acid.
15. The method of claim 7 , wherein the complexing agent in step (iii) comprises rhodanide ions.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the reducing agent in step (iii) is selected from the group consisting of iodide ions, sulphite ions, metallic zinc, metallic aluminum, and combinations thereof.
17. The method of claim 7 , wherein loose particles of MnO 2 are removed prior to step (i).