Extraction/separation of cobalt by solvent extraction: A review

Abstract

Extraction/separation of cobalt by solvent extraction is reviewed. Separation of cobalt using various reagents and also cobalt recovery from scrap using commercial extractant were analyzed. The separation ability for cobalt followed the order of phosphinic > phosphonic > phosphoric acid due to the increasing stabilization of tetrahedral coordination of cobalt complexes with the extractant in the organic phase. Depending upon the solution composition, commercial extractants like Cyanex 272, D2EPHA and PC 88A should primarily be used for commercial extraction processes and also the efficient management of their combination could address various separation issues associated with cobalt bearing scrap.