Potential connections between the interaction and extraction performance of mixed extractant systems: A short review

• Published in: Journal of molecular liquids Vol. 268; pp. 667 - 676
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Lee, Manseung, Senanayake, Gamini
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.10.2018
• Subjects: Antagonism; Interaction; Mixed extractant systems; Synergism; Antagonism; Mixed extractant systems; Synergism; Interaction
• ISSN: 0167-7322; 1873-3166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2018.07.097

Application of mixed extractant systems containing different kinds of extractants have been widely investigated for the extraction and separation of metal ions. It has been found that synergistic and antagonistic effects occur during the extraction of metal ions even with similar systems the mechanism of which is not fully understood. This review attempts to summarize the reported explanations on the interaction mechanisms to explore the relationships between interaction and synergism or antagonism of mixed extractant systems. Two kinds of interactions, namely mixed complex formation and reverse micelle aggregation are mainly discussed in the present work. The nature and strength of interactions are qualitatively or quantitatively analyzed on the basis of property and amount of the extractant molecules by using several methods covering both molecular and supramolecular scales. The results suggest that though the apparent extractant effect of these systems can be proposed to some extent by analyzing interactions in the mixed extractant systems, it is incredibly difficult to predict definitive mechanisms from the initial nature of these systems. •Extracting properties of mixed extractants are reviewed based on their interactions•Complex formation between extractants and reverse micelle aggregation are discussed•Interactions depends on the nature and proportion of the involved components.•Separation technologies utilizing mixed extractant systems are summarized.