Heavy Metal Recovery and Purification in Phosphoric Acid Solutions
Summary
Phosphoric acid produced by the wet process is a pivotal feedstock in fertiliser manufacture but often contains trace heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, zinc and uranium, derived from phosphate rock. The presence of these contaminants poses environmental, health and agronomic challenges, necessitating efficient recovery and purification strategies. Recent advances have focussed on solvent extraction, ion-exchange and membrane-based methodologies to selectively separate and concentrate metal species from acidic media. Key objectives include maximising selectivity, minimising reagent consumption and ensuring compatibility with large-scale operation. Emerging hybrid systems combine physical separation with tailored chemical ligands to achieve high recovery efficiencies while maintaining phosphoric acid purity. These developments support sustainable resource management, transforming phosphoric acid from a waste-oriented stream into a source of valuable metals and contributing to circular-economy goals within the chemical and agricultural sectors.
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Heavy Metal Recovery and Purification in Phosphoric Acid Solutions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in heavy metal recovery and purification in phosphoric acid solutions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Wet-process phosphoric acid: Phosphoric acid produced by reacting phosphate rock with sulphuric acid, containing dissolved impurities and metal contaminants.
Solvent extraction: A liquid–liquid separation technique that transfers solutes from an aqueous phase into an immiscible organic solvent to effect separation of metal ions.
Distribution coefficient: The ratio of solute concentration in the organic phase to that in the aqueous phase at equilibrium, indicating extractant performance.
Chelating ion-exchange resin: A solid polymer bead bearing functional groups that form coordinate bonds with metal ions to remove them from solution.
Supported liquid membrane: A porous support impregnated with an organic solvent containing extractants, enabling selective solute transport between aqueous phases.
Stripping: The process of recovering accumulated metal ions from an organic or resin phase by contacting with a suitable aqueous solution.
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