Cloud Point Extraction of Uranyl Ions Using TX-100 with N-butyl N’-Triethoxy Methyl Imidazolium/D2EHPA-H Ionic Liquid in Acetate Media

Cloud point extraction (CPE) was used to extract uranium (VI) from an aqueous solution in acetate media. The methodology used is based on the formation of uranyl-ionic liquid (I) complexes and uranyl-D2EHPA soluble in a micellar phase of non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100). The uranium (VI) complexes are then extracted into the surfactant-rich phase at ambient temperature. The ionic liquid (IL) used as a chelating agent was synthesized and characterized in this study. It is composed of N-butyl N'-triethoxy methyl imidazolium cation and anion diethylhexylphosphate (D2EHPA-H). The effect of the ionic liquid IL on the extraction efficiency was studied in the presence and in the absence of IL's cation in acetate medium.