Copper ion removal from dilute solutions using colloidal liquid aphrons

The extraction of copper (II) from dilute aqueous solution by predispersed solvent extraction (PDSE) using colloidal liquid aphrons (CLAs) is described. The CLAs were made of LIX 984N as an extractant and an anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactant. It was observed that the CLAs were in the micrometer size range, and that their size was controlled by the phase volume ratio. The phase volume ratio and extractant concentration in CLAs structure are the most effective parameters in this extraction process. CLAs were able to remove copper ions in less than one minute, and they remained stable for more than two months. The effect of surfactant type and concentration was also investigated, with the anionic surfactant found to produce the best results.