Separation of GaCl3 from AlCl3 by Solid-Liquid Extraction and Stripping Using Anhydrous n-Dodecane and NaCl

Separation of GaCl3 from other associating chloride compounds (e.g. AlCl3, SbCl3, and InCl3) is generally achieved by hydrometallurgical processes. In this study, we explore the separation of GaCl3 from these compounds on the basis of the exceptionally high solubility of GaCl3 in hydrocarbon solvents. We found that GaCl3 can be efficiently extracted by anhydrous n-dodecane from a solid mixture of GaCl3 and AlCl3; on the contrary, SbCl3 and InCl3 significantly reduce the extraction of GaCl3. On the basis of Lewis acidity theory and study of the Raman spectra, it is shown that formation of the ionic compound [SbCl2][GaCl4] is responsible for the reduced GaCl3 extraction. Formation of [InCl2][GaCl4] is also likely, but further study is needed to support the existence of this compound. Further making use of the strong Lewis acidity of GaCl3, GaCl3 can be efficiently stripped from the loaded n-dodecane phase by solid NaCl through formation of NaGaCl4. The extraction of GaCl3 by n-dodecane, in combination with its stripping by NaCl, is a solvometallurgical process that is essentially different from the hydrometallurgical processes for the separation of GaCl3 and AlCl3.

Jaar van publicatie:2019

BOF-keylabel:ja

IOF-keylabel:ja

BOF-publication weight:1

CSS-citation score:1

Auteurs:International

Authors from:Higher Education

Toegankelijkheid:Open