Solvent extraction with organophosphorus extractants in environmental samples: Determination of cadmium(II) in natural water

Abstract

In this work, Cd(II) extraction in natural waters by organophosphorus extractants as organic phase, as well as its back-extraction in an acidic media, has been studied. Cadmium extraction behavior at natural waters' pH conditions (values in the range 7-8) was studied with two different extractants and co-ions, obtaining the highest extraction efficiency when using 0.1M Cyanex 272 in kerosene as organic phase and 0.1 M NO3 - as co-ion. Once they were selected, the effect on the extraction efficiency of sample pH, buffer concentration, extraction time, Cyanex 272 concentration as well as back-extractant concentration, was studied. The presence of the main inorganic and organic ligands in the sample was also studied, observing that extraction efficiency was affected most significantly when chlorides were present, with a decrease of about 14%, proving negligible for the others. Under the selected conditions, spiked real samples were successfully analyzed.