Effect of temperature on the solvent extraction of uranium (VI) in different room temperature ionic liquids by TBP as extractant: a comparative study

Solvent extraction of U(VI) from aqueous nitric acid into four different Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTIL) 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis (trifluromethyl sulphonyl)imide (HMIIM), 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazlium hexafluorophosphate (HMIMPF₆), 1-hexyl-3-methy pyrrolidinium bis( trifluromethyl sulphonyl) imide HMPIM, 1-Octyl-3-methyl Pyridinium (trifluromethyl sulphonyl)imide (OMPIIM), by employing TBP as extractant were carried out at different temperatures. Room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) are important green solvents due to their non volatility, low vapor pressure, affinity for both organic and ionic species. Extraction of U(VI) from 2M nitric acid by TBP in four different RTILs were carried out at three different temperatures and the distribution ratio (D) obtained were compared with that of dodecane as diluent