Solvent extraction of strontium from aqueous solution by crown ethers

In this study, strontium extraction with different crown ethers from sulfuric acid solutions has been investigated. The extraction of strontium from aqueous solution can be achieved by adding crown ether to the organic solution and picric acid to the aqueous solution. Strontium was extracted from sulfuric acid solutions with efficiency of 99.91%, at the ambient temperature. The effect of pH, picric acid concentration, crown ether concentration, time, different crown ethers and diluents, initial concentration of strontium and concentration of interfering ions to optimize the conditions of using crown ether for removing strontium from aqueous solutions has been evaluated. The influence of crown ether and picric acid concentration on DSr disclosed the mechanism of extraction. Stripping experiments were also conducted with different stripping reagents independently.