Zirconium effect on the state of the aqueous surface layer in the TBP-HNO3 extraction system

The effect of zirconium on coalescence rate of isolated drops of organic phase on plane interface in equilibrium extraction system TBP-HNO3 (5 mol/l) is studied. It is shown that additions of small amounts of zirconium nitrate (0.1 mol/l in equilibrium aqueous phase) decrease the value of coalescence constant several times. A conclusion is made that formation of structurized films in surface layer of aqueous phase (thickness ∼ 1 x 10-6 m) by zirconium nitrate results in decrease of amplitude of wave vibrations arising in aqueous phase interlayer owing to mechanical and temperature fluctuations and thus in coalescence rate decrease. (author)