Ion flotation and solvent sublation of zinc(II) and manganese(II) in the presence of proton-ionizable lariat ethers

Competitive flotation and solvent sublation of Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions from diluted, model and experimental, aqueous solutions (after leaching of spent Zn-Mn battery) by proton-ionizable lariat ethers in the presence of octylphenylodecyl (ethylene glycol) ether (Triton X-100) as a nonionic foaming agent were investigated. The influence of ether crown size variations (from DB-16-C-5 through DB-19-C-6 to DB-22-C-7) on separation of zinc(II) and manganese(II) ions as well as influence of structural variation within the collectors (identity of the pendent acidic group and lipophilicity) and pH of the aqueous solutions were presented. It was found that among seven tested proton-ionizable lariat ethers, the most effective removal of Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions from diluted aqueous solutions may be achieved with the use of sodium 3-[sym-(Decyl)dibenzo-22-crown-7-oxy]propane-sulfonate).