FLOTATION SEPARATION OF COBALT(II) USING 4-PHENYLTHIOSEMICARBAZIDE AS A COMPLEXING AGENT

An experimental procedure was presented for the separation of cobalt(II) from aqueous solutions using a complexing agent, 4-phenylthiosemicarbazide (HPTS) and oleic acid (HOL) as a surfactant. Several factors affecting the flotation process have been studied. It has been found that the flotation efficiency of Co(II), 100%, was achieved in the 5.0-7.5 pH range. Ionic strength and most of the studied foreign cations have not markedly affected the flotation efficiency. The procedure was successfully extended to recover Co(II) from sea-water. Finally, the flotation mechanism was suggested.