Separation and recovery of Pd(II) and Pt(II) from cyanide liquors of Pd-Pt flotation concentrate via solvent extraction

BACKGROUND Thus far, separation and recovery of Pd(CN)42- and Pt(CN)42- from cyanide liquors have not been reported. In this study, the process of co-extracting and separating Pd(II) and Pt(II) over Fe(III), Cu(I), Co(III), and Ni(I) from alkaline cyanide liquors was investigated. RESULTS The results showed that almost all Pd(II) and Pt(II) (>98.0%) could be simultaneously extracted by phenoxyethyl dimethyl palmitylammonium bromide (PDPB), whereas Fe(III), Cu(I), Co(III), and Ni(I) was below 3.0% under optimum conditions. Furthermore, Pd(CN)42- and Pt(CN)42- were separated and recovered by the two-step stripping process. First, Pd(CN)42- in mixed organic phase was stripped by a 2.0 mol L−1 ammonium thiocyanate solution. The stripping percentage of Pd(CN)42- was >98%, whereas the stripped Pt(CN)42- was below 1%. Second, more than 97.5% Pt(CN)42- in the loaded organic phase could be stripped using 1.0 mol L−1 thiodiglycol solution. Recovery ratios for both Pd(II) and Pt(II) were above 95%. The organic phase could be reused for at least 6 cycles of extraction–stripping processes. The mechanisms of extraction reaction were deduced to be ion-association mechanisms. CONCLUSION The process could be applied for extracting and separating palladium and platinum from the cyanide leaching liquor of the flotation concentrate. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry