Solvent extraction of uranium from aqueous solutions by α-benzoinoxime

Solvent extraction of uranium with alpha-benzoinoxime from aqueous solutions has been systematically investigated. The extraction equilibration was very fast and achieved at 60 s for uranium. The extraction of uranium was pH-dependent using alpha-benzoinoxime as extractant. The effect concentration of uranium and alpha-benzoinoxime was studied. The uranium loaded in the organic phase can be stripped efficiently with 93 % yield using 0.1 M HCl as the stripping agent in a single stripping step. A good selectivity for uranium was observed through alpha-benzoinoxime as extractant from aqueous solution with other interfering cation ions. Present study suggested that alpha-benzoinoxime can be used as a potential extractant for separation of uranium from aqueous solution using centrifugal extractor in industrial application.