Purification of metals
View Patent ↗A solid composition comprises: 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. Such a composition may be used for the separation of polyvalent metal species, such as Mo, from one or more accompanying impurities.
1. A method for separating a polyvalent metal species from one or more accompanying impurities, comprising:
(i) contacting the polyvalent metal species and accompanying impurities with a composition comprising MnO 2 and a compound of 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; and
wherein at least 50% of the surface of the compound of formula (I) is coated with MnO 2 so that the polyvalent metal binds to MnO 2 ;
(ii) dissolving the MnO 2 bound to the polyvalent metal to form a solution; and
(iii) contacting the solution with a complexing agent, so that the polyvalent metal binds to the compound of formula (I).
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises releasing the polyvalent metal species with a base.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dissolution of step (ii) is facilitated with an acid.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the acid is sulphuric acid.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Co, Ni, Pt, Mo, and Fe.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is Mo.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyvalent metal species is a radioactive isotope.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the polyvalent metal species is Mo-99.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the complexing agent in step (iii) comprises rhodanide ions.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (iii) additionally comprises a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of iodide ions, sulphite ions, metallic zinc, metallic aluminum, and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprising MnO 2 and a compound of formula (I) is provided in one or more vessels having an inlet for the introduction of a solution containing the polyvalent metal species, and an outlet for the elution of components of the solution.
12. A method for separating Mo-99 from one or more accompanying impurities, comprising:
(i) contacting the Mo-99 and the accompanying impurities with a composition comprising MnO 2 and compound of 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 at least 50% of the surface of the compounds of formula (I) is coated with MnO 2 , so that Mo-99 binds to MnO 2 and
(ii) dissolving the MnO 2 bound to the Mo-99 with an acid to form a solution;
(iii) contacting the solution with a rhodanide complexing agent so that the Mo-99 binds to the compound of formula (I); and
(iv) releasing the Mo-99 bound to the compound of formula (I) with a base.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition comprising MnO 2 and a compound of formula (I) is provided in a vessel having an inlet for the introduction of a solution containing the polyvalent metal species, and an outlet for the elution of components of the solution.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein R comprises a crosslinked polystyrene and n=1.
15. A method for producing a MnO 2 -adsorbate, wherein the method comprises contacting a manganese containing-compound chosen from KMnO 4 , MnCl 2 , or MnSO 4 , to
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; and
wherein formula (I) is coated with MnO 2 .
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein R comprises a crosslinked polystyrene and n=1.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the compound of formula (I) of the MnO 2 -adsorbate is coated with MnO 2 on at least 50% of its surface.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least 90% of the surface of the compound of formula (I) is coated with MnO 2 .
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises heating the MnO 2 -adsorbate at a temperature of 60-70° C.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the heating is conducted over 10 to 15 hours.