Separation of mixtures of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) through mixed ligand complex formation and modified FFC Cambridge Process to produce pure metals
Abstract
Zirconium and hafnium are very useful metal types in their ultrapure forms having many high technological applications. Unfortunately, they occur together in many minerals and are inseparable effectively to obtain ultra-pure forms. The proposed project involves the separation and isolation of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) through two new approaches which are independently carried out. In the first step of the first approach computational chemical simulations will be carried out to screen the most suitable ligand combinations for pure Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) to form mixed ligand complexes and to predict their water solubility using density functional theory. Here the main focus is on the identification of metal complexes which can give a solid precipitate with one metal type only, while the other metal remains in the solution. The second stage involves Mixed ligand complex formation between each metal salt individually with mixed ligand combinations which are selected considering computational work results. Third stage is concentrated on the same work done in the second stage, but when the two metals are in an aqueous solution together in different weight ratios. As expected, at this stage it should be able to separate out one metal complex type as a precipitate from the other. In the last step, separated metal complexes are converted to metal powders via electrochemical deposition. Second approach of isolation involves modified FFC Cambridge process in which mixtures of ZrO2 and HfO2 are mixed with CaCl2 and electrochemically deoxidized to obtain pure metal powders separately. Here cathode and molten salt electrochemical cell conditions will be varied.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 16, 2024
- Source ID
- FA23862314036
Entities
People
- Champika Hettiarachchi
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Peradeniya