Solvent Extraction of Gold(III) by 2-Ethylhexanol and Modeling of Facilitated Transport across a Supported Liquid Membrane

The solvent extraction of gold(III) by undiluted 2-ethylhexanol or dissolved in toluene from a HCl solution has been investigated in this paper. The numerical analysis of gold distribution data suggests the formation of HAuCl4·L and HAuCl4·2L (L = 2-ethylhexanol) species in the organic phase, with formation constants K11 = 38 and K12 = 309, respectively. The results derived from gold(III) distribution have been implemented in a solid-supported liquid membrane system. The influence of several variables on gold transport has been considered: feed and receiving phases’ stirring speeds, HCl and gold concentrations in the feed phase, and carrier concentration in the membrane phase as well as the presence of base metals (Fe, Cu, Ni) and platinum-group metals (PGMs) in the feed phase. Gold transport is influenced by the stirring speed of the feed phase and the variation in HCl and gold (feed phase) and carrier (membrane phase) concentrations. Also, diffusional resistances to mass transfer are estimated, and the contribution of each resistance to gold transport is estimated. Gold is recovered as zero-valent nanoparticles.