70 years of research into solvent extraction � a hugely important industrial metals separations method � has traditionally been understood in terms of metal ion coordination chemistry. More recently, however, reverse micelles (RMs) have been found to play a significant role in the separation properties of solvent extraction systems. We explore the effect of RMs on metal separations, presenting both current understanding and new results that suggest that these aggregates are pivotal in defining the physical behavior of solvent extraction systems. Understanding solvent extraction in terms of micelles joins two mature fields of science to yield fresh insight into the fundamental mechanisms driving industrial separations. Realizing control of the nano-scale micellar behavior in solvent extraction systems through fundamental research may result in significant improvements to commercial separations processes including nuclear fuel reprocessing as well as precious, rare earth and base metal production.

Growing importance of reverse micelles in understanding industrial metals separations

245th National Meeting (2013)

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