Nonionic Microemulsion Extraction of Ni (II) from Wastewater

Two W/O microemulsion systems, Water/iso-C3-ol/Brij 30/PO and Water/Brij 30/EtOAc, have been proved to have high yields in removal and recovery of metal ions (Ni (II)) from wastewater. The influence of some parameters, such as aqueous phases to microemulsion volumetric ratio, oil type, concentration of the surfactant and distribution coefficient of Ni (II) between aqueous and microemulsion phases, on separation of nickel ion from aqueous solution have been studied. The extraction of Ni (II) is very efficient for concentrations of nickel aqueous solutions less than 1000mg/L, when the extraction efficiency is up to 85%.