Extraction of Zinc Metal ions from Aqueous Solution Using Ionic Liquids

This work analyzes the extraction behavior of transition heavy metal Zinc and other metal ions such as Copper, and Cadmium from hydrochloride aqueous solution in the absence of chelating agents by using a novel class of hydrophobic ionic liquids. Ionic liquid for this study was synthesized based on 1-(n-alkyl)-3-methylimidazolium cations and hexafluorophosphate anions followed by the metathesis route at room temperature were evaluated. The advantages of using these ionic liquids include their simple synthesis and sustainability. Which makes them “Greener and Simpler” compared to other solvents used for metal extraction. The experimental results show that ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMPSM][PF6] entirely removed of Zinc (extraction percentage 94.4%) and other Copper and Cadmium heavy metals from the aqueous solutions. Based on the results, the use of ionic liquids for selected heavy metal ions as a substitute to the traditional extraction agents in liquid/liquid extraction of heavy metal ions shows considerable potential and is quite promising and promoting for further extraction.