Supercritical CO₂ Extraction of Heavy Metals Cu, Zn and Cd from Aqueous Solution using D ithizone as Chelating Agent

Metal ions in liquid samples can be extracted by supercritical CO₂, containing a suitable ligand. This paper presents the first experimental data for the extraction of three heavy metals Cu, Zn and Cd from aqueous samples in the presence of Dithizone as chelating agent. Extractions by supercritical CO₂ have been performed at 120 bars with 50°C used dynamic technique. After adding the CO₂ on the aqueous metal solution, the pressure and temperature were set and extraction was performed in three periodical times; 30, 60 and 120 min at constant temperature and pressure with a flow rate of CO₂ 2 mL min^-1. After the extraction, the CO₂ was released slowly through a restrictor. Methanol was used as a modifier (v/v) 10% and the pH value was set (10). After the extraction process, the remaining aqueous solution in the extractor was analyzed for its metal content by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), determining the recovery of the metal by CO₂. During dynamic extraction noticed increased of extraction in function of time for all three metals; Cu (61.12-73.52%, RSD = 2.694, n = 3); Zn (78.33-87.00%, RSD = 1.243, n = 3) and Cd (70.60-82.40%, RSD = 2.227, n = 3).