Extractant and use thereof, method for removing nickel in nickel-cobalt-containing solution, device, and cobalt solution

Abstract

An extractant including at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, a nickel removal method in which the extractant is used, a cobalt solution obtained by using the method, and a device for performing the process are provided.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211735276.5, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 31, 2022 and entitled "EXTRACTANT AND APPLICATION THEREOF, NICKEL REMOVAL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NICKEL-CONTAINING COBALT SOLUTION, AND COBALT SOLUTION", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of chemistry, and more specifically, to an extractant and an application thereof, a nickel removal method and device for a nickel-containing cobalt solution, a cobalt solution, a cobalt element, an electronic component, and an electronic device.BACKGROUND

[0003] Cobalt (cobalt, Co) is a type of important strategic metal, and is widely used in the fields of aerospace, motors and electric appliances, machinery, chemistry, ceramic, batteries, and the like. High-purity cobalt has an excellent semiconductor property, magnetic property, and conductive property, and is an important material for preparing a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic recording head, a photoelectric device, an integrated circuit of a magnetic sensor, and other components. Currently, a preparation method for cobalt is generally purifying a cobalt solution by removing impurities from the cobalt solution to obtain a high-purity cobalt solution, and then obtaining high-purity metal cobalt by using an electrolysis method. An impurity removal and purification method mainly includes chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and solvent extraction. The impurity removal and purification method is mainly used to remove metal impurities (for example, copper, iron, zinc, aluminum, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and nickel) from a cobalt solution. However, because properties of cobalt and nickel (nickel, Ni) are similar, it is difficult to deeply remove nickel from the cobalt solution in a conventional technology, resulting in a high nickel content in an obtained cobalt solution, and affecting a purity of finally obtained metal cobalt.

[0004] Therefore, how to deeply remove trace impurity nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution becomes an urgent problem to be resolved.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide an extractant and an application thereof, a nickel removal method and device for a nickel-containing cobalt solution, a cobalt solution, a cobalt element, an electronic component, and an electronic device, so that impurity nickel can be removed from the nickel-containing cobalt solution, to obtain a high-purity cobalt solution.

[0006] According to a first aspect, an extractant is provided. The extractant includes at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine.

[0007] In this embodiment of this application, the extractant including at least one of the naphthalenesulfonic acid or the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine may be used, so that nickel in a nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with any one or more of the naphthalenesulfonic acid or the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, to remove the nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0008] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a general formula for the naphthalenesulfonic acid is shown as Formula (I):

[0009] In Formula (I), R 1 is alkyl, R 2 is alkyl, M is any metal salt or a hydrogen ion, and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0010] In this embodiment of this application, the naphthalenesulfonic acid may be used, so that the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with the naphthalenesulfonic acid, to remove the nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and separate cobalt and the nickel.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a general formula for the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine is shown as Formula (II):

[0012] In Formula (II), R 1 is alkyl, and R 2 is alkyl.

[0013] In this embodiment of this application, the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine may be used, so that the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, to remove the nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and separate cobalt and the nickel.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a chemical formula for R 1 is CH 3 (CH 2 ) m , a chemical formula for R 2 is CH 3 (CH 2 ) p , and m and p are positive integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a value of m is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a value of p is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a concentration of the naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant is greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a concentration of the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant is greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0019] In this embodiment of this application, an extraction rate in extraction of the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution may be adjusted by adjusting the concentration of the naphthalenesulfonic acid or the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant. An extraction rate corresponding to an extractant including the naphthalenesulfonic acid and the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine is higher than an extraction rate corresponding to an extractant including only one of the naphthalenesulfonic acid and the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine. When the extractant includes the naphthalenesulfonic acid and the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, a higher concentration of the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant indicates a higher extraction rate in the extraction of the nickel.

[0020] According to a second aspect, an application of the extractant according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is provided. The extractant is used to remove nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0021] According to a third aspect, a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution is provided. The method includes: obtaining an organic phase, where the organic phase includes the extractant according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; and performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0022] In this embodiment of this application, the organic phase including any one or more of the naphthalenesulfonic acid or the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine may be used, so that nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with any one or more of the naphthalenesulfonic acid or the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine and enters the organic phase, to remove the nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and obtain the nickel-removed cobalt solution. In addition, a capability of any one or more of the naphthalenesulfonic acid or the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine to form a complex with the nickel is strong, so that an extraction rate of the impurity nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution can be increased, to obtain a high-purity cobalt solution.

[0023] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, performing the extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase includes: saponifying the organic phase with a first cobalt solution, to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase; and performing the extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, to obtain the nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0024] In this embodiment of this application, the organic phase may be saponified with the first cobalt solution, to improve a capability of the extractant in the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to form a complex with the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, to increase the nickel extraction rate.

[0025] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the organic phase further includes a diluent, and a volume fraction of the extractant in the organic phase is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 80%.

[0026] In this embodiment of this application, the diluent may be used to dissolve the extractant, so that when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, the extractant can be in more full contact with the nickel-containing cobalt solution, to increase the nickel extraction rate.

[0027] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the diluent is an organic diluent, and the diluent includes at least one of the following: sulfonated kerosene, No. 260 solvent oil, aviation kerosene, or high-carbon alcohol.

[0028] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the extraction includes any one or more of the following: co-current extraction, split-current extraction, counter-current extraction, or cross-current extraction.

[0029] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, a quantity of stages of the extraction is 1 to 10.

[0030] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, a pondus hydrogenii pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 5.

[0031] In this embodiment of this application, a low pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is likely to affect the extraction rate, resulting in a low extraction rate. When the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution reaches a specific value, the extraction rate reaches a limit. Therefore, there is no need to set an excessively high pH value.

[0032] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, a temperature for the extraction is greater than or equal to 10 degrees Celsius °C and less than or equal to 50°C.

[0033] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, a volume flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1:10 and less than or equal to 10:1.

[0034] In this embodiment of this application, a low volume flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is likely to result in a low extraction rate. However, when the volume flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution reaches a specific value, the extraction rate reaches a limit. Therefore, there is no need to set an excessively high volume flow ratio, to avoid a waste of resources.

[0035] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first cobalt solution is a 4N cobalt solution.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, a nickel removal device for a nickel-containing cobalt solution is provided. The device includes a feed inlet, an extraction box, and a discharge outlet that communicate in sequence, and the device is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0037] According to a fifth aspect, a cobalt solution is provided. The cobalt solution includes the extractant according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Alternatively, the cobalt solution is prepared by using the method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. Alternatively, the cobalt solution is prepared by the nickel removal device according to the fourth aspect.

[0038] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, a concentration of the extractant in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 grams per liter g / L and less than or equal to 1 g / L.

[0039] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, a concentration of nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0040] In this embodiment of this application, the cobalt solution with a low nickel concentration can be obtained, so that cobalt and nickel can be deeply separated.

[0041] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, a concentration ratio of cobalt to the nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1000 and less than or equal to 30000.

[0042] In this embodiment of this application, the cobalt solution with a high concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel can be obtained, so that the cobalt and the nickel can be deeply separated.

[0043] According to a sixth aspect, a cobalt element is provided. The cobalt element is prepared by using the cobalt solution according to the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0044] According to a seventh aspect, an electronic component is provided. The electronic component includes the cobalt element according to the sixth aspect.

[0045] According to an eighth aspect, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes the electronic component according to the seventh aspect.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of this application; FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to another embodiment of this application; and FIG. 3 is a diagram of a structure of a nickel removal device for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of this application. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The following describes technical solutions in embodiments of this application with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0048] Terms used in embodiments of this application are merely intended to describe particular embodiments, but are not intended to limit embodiments of this application. The singular forms "one", "a", "the", "the foregoing", "this", and "the one" used in this specification and the appended claims of this application are also intended to include expressions such as "one or more", unless otherwise specified in the context clearly. It should be further understood that in the following embodiments of this application, "at least one" and "one or more" mean one, two, or more. The term "and / or" is used to describe an association relationship between associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the following cases: Only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects.

[0049] In descriptions of embodiments of this application, a mentioned value range may include two endpoint values of the range. For example, a value ranging from 8 to 10 may mean that the value is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

[0050] Reference to "an embodiment", "some embodiments", or the like described in this specification indicates that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment. Therefore, expressions such as "in an embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", and "in other embodiments" that appear at different places in this specification do not necessarily mean reference to a same embodiment. Instead, the expressions mean "one or more but not all of embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in another manner. The terms "include", "comprise", "have", and their variants all mean "include but are not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in another manner.

[0051] The technical solutions in embodiments of this application may be applied to various nickel-containing cobalt solutions, for example, a nickel-containing cobalt sulfate solution, a nickel-containing cobalt acetate solution, a nickel-containing cobalt nitrate solution, and a nickel-containing cobalt chloride solution. This is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 1 includes the following steps.

[0053] S110: Obtain an organic phase.

[0054] The organic phase includes an extractant, and the extractant includes at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine. A specific implementation of obtaining the organic phase is not limited in embodiments of this application. For example, an extractant may be obtained directly based on a naphthalenesulfonic acid-type chemical or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine. Alternatively, a naphthalenesulfonic acid-type chemical and dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine may be mixed, to obtain an extractant including naphthalenesulfonic acid and the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine. The naphthalenesulfonic acid-type chemical is a chemical including naphthalenesulfonic acid, for example, sodium naphthalenesulfonate, aluminum naphthalenesulfonate, or magnesium naphthalenesulfonate. This is not specifically limited in embodiments of this application.

[0055] In some embodiments, a possible chemical formula for the naphthalenesulfonic acid is C 10 H 5 R 1 R 2 SO 3 − n M n + .

[0056] C 10 indicates 10 carbon atoms, H 5 indicates five hydrogen atoms, S indicates a sulfur atom, and O 3 indicates three oxygen atoms. In the chemical formula for the naphthalenesulfonic acid, n in the lower right corner indicates a quantity of naphthalenesulfonic acid structures, and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. M is any metal salt or a hydrogen ion, and the metal salt may be, for example, a sodium ion, an aluminum ion, or a magnesium ion. Because one naphthalenesulfonic acid structure has one negative charge and n naphthalenesulfonic acid structures have n negative charges, M should have n positive charges. M n+< indicates that M has n positive charges. R 1 is alkyl, and R 2 is alkyl. R 1 and R 2 may be same or different alkyl.

[0057] In some embodiments, M is preferably the hydrogen ion, to avoid a low purity of cobalt in a nickel-removed cobalt solution caused by introduction of new metal ions into the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0058] In some embodiments, a chemical formula for R 1 is CH 3 (CH 2 ) m , m in R 1 indicates that one R 1 structure includes m CH 2 structures, and m is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0059] In some embodiments, a value of m ranges from 8 to 10, that is, the value of m is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

[0060] In some embodiments, a chemical formula for R 2 is CH 3 (CH 2 ) p , p in R 2 indicates that one R 2 structure includes p CH 2 structures, and p is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0061] In some embodiments, a value of p ranges from 8 to 10, that is, the value of p is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

[0062] In some embodiments, a concentration of the naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant is greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0063] In some embodiments, a possible general formula for the naphthalenesulfonic acid is shown as Formula 1:

[0064] In some embodiments, a possible chemical formula for the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine is C 13 H 11 R 1 R 2 N 3 . N 3 indicates three nitrogen atoms. R 1 and R 2 are similar to R 1 and R 2 in the naphthalenesulfonic acid, and details are not described herein again.

[0065] In some embodiments, a possible general formula for the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine is shown as Formula 2:

[0066] In some embodiments, a concentration of the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant is greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0067] Preferably, when the extractant includes the naphthalenesulfonic acid and the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, the concentration of the naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant may range from 15% to 50%, and the concentration of the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant may range from 50% to 85%. When the extractant includes the naphthalenesulfonic acid and the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, if the concentration of the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine is high, an extraction rate of nickel extracted by the extractant is high.

[0068] In some embodiments, the extractant is used to remove nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0069] In some embodiments, the organic phase further includes a diluent, and the diluent is used to dissolve the extractant.

[0070] In some embodiments, the diluent may be an organic diluent. The diluent may be at least one of the following: sulfonated kerosene, No. 260 solvent oil, aviation kerosene, or high-carbon alcohol. The high-carbon alcohol may be any one or more of high-carbon alcohol of C 8 to C 13 .

[0071] In some embodiments, the organic phase may include the extractant and the diluent. A volume fraction of the extractant in the organic phase is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 80%, that is, a volume of the extractant accounts for 5% to 80% of a volume of the organic phase. This is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0072] S120: Perform extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0073] After the organic phase is obtained, the organic phase may be used to perform the extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution, so that nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution enters the organic phase, to obtain the nickel-removed cobalt solution. A purity of cobalt in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is high.

[0074] In some embodiments, when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, a nickel-containing organic phase may be further obtained. In other words, the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is removed into the organic phase, and in this case, the organic phase becomes the nickel-containing organic phase, and the nickel-containing cobalt solution becomes the nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0075] In some embodiments, the nickel-containing cobalt solution is an acid solution, and a pondus hydrogenii (pondus hydrogenii, pH) value is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 5. If the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is low, a nickel extraction rate is low. When the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution reaches a specific degree, the nickel extraction rate reaches a limit. Therefore, there is no need to set an excessively high pH value.

[0076] In some embodiments, the pH value of the nickel-containing solution may be adjusted by adding an acid substance or an alkaline substance to the nickel-containing cobalt solution. A specific acid substance or alkaline substance is not limited in embodiments of this application. The acid substance is a substance whose pH value is less than 7, and the alkaline substance is a substance whose pH value is greater than 7.

[0077] In some embodiments, the extraction includes single-stage extraction or multi-stage extraction. Alternatively, the extraction includes any one or more of the following: co-current extraction, split-current extraction, counter-current extraction, or cross-current extraction, or the like. This is not limited in embodiments of this application. In other words, the organic phase may be used to perform any one or more of the following extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution: single-stage or multi-stage co-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage split-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage counter-current extraction, or single-stage or multi-stage cross-current extraction.

[0078] In some embodiments, a quantity of stages of the extraction may be 1 to 10, and a temperature for the extraction is greater than or equal to 10°C and less than or equal to 50°C. This is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0079] In some embodiments, when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, a volume flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1:10 and less than or equal to 10:1. In other words, a ratio of a fluid volume of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution passing through a same flow cross-section in a unit time is between 1:10 and 10:1.

[0080] In some embodiments, a concentration ratio of the cobalt to nickel in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1000 and less than or equal to 30000.

[0081] In some embodiments, a concentration of the extractant in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 grams per liter (gram / liter, g / L) and less than or equal to 1 g / L.

[0082] In some embodiments, a concentration of the nickel in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0083] In some embodiments, before the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, the organic phase may be first saponified with a first cobalt solution, to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase. Then, the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, to obtain the nickel-removed cobalt solution. For a specific implementation, refer to descriptions of FIG. 2.

[0084] In this embodiment of this application, an extractant including any one or more of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine may be used to selectively extract nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution, to obtain a high-purity cobalt solution and deeply separate nickel and cobalt in the nickel-containing cobalt solution. In addition, the nickel removal method in this embodiment of this application has a short procedure, a high nickel extraction rate, low chemical reagent consumption, and low costs, and facilitates industrialization.

[0085] FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of this application. FIG. 2 includes the following steps.

[0086] S210: Mix an extractant and a diluent, to obtain an organic phase.

[0087] The extractant includes any one or more of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine, and the diluent may be an organic diluent. Mixing the extractant and the diluent can obtain the organic phase. A specific manner, a temperature, or the like for mixing the extractant and the diluent is not limited in embodiments of this application. The extractant and the diluent are similar to the extractant and the diluent in S110, and details are not described herein again.

[0088] In some embodiments, a volume fraction ratio of the extractant to the diluent in the organic phase is greater than or equal to 5:95 and less than or equal to 80:20.

[0089] Optionally, step S210 may be performed, or may not be performed. In other words, an organic phase including an extractant and a diluent may be directly obtained.

[0090] S220: Saponify the organic phase with a first cobalt solution, to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase.

[0091] After the organic phase is obtained, cobalt-involved saponification may be performed on the organic phase, to improve a capability of the extractant in the organic phase to form a complex with nickel.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first cobalt solution includes cobalt. A purity of the cobalt in the first cobalt solution may be at least 99.9%. To be specific, the first cobalt solution may be a 3N cobalt solution or a 4N cobalt solution. The 3N cobalt solution indicates that the purity of the cobalt in the cobalt solution is 99.9%, and the 4N cobalt solution indicates that the purity of the cobalt in the cobalt solution is 99.99%.

[0093] In some embodiments, mixing the organic phase and the first cobalt solution can implement the cobalt-involved saponification, to obtain the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase. A specific manner or a temperature for mixing the organic phase and the first cobalt solution, a mixture ratio, or the like is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0094] S230: Perform extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0095] After the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase is obtained, the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase may be used to perform the extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution, so that nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution enters the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, to obtain the nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0096] In some embodiments, when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, a nickel-containing organic phase may be further obtained. In other words, the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is removed into the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, and in this case, the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase becomes the nickel-containing organic phase, and the nickel-containing cobalt solution becomes the nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0097] In some embodiments, the nickel-containing cobalt solution is similar to the nickel-containing cobalt solution in S120, and details are not described herein again.

[0098] In some embodiments, the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase may be used to perform any one or more of the following extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution: single-stage or multi-stage co-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage split-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage counter-current extraction, or single-stage or multi-stage cross-current extraction.

[0099] In some embodiments, a quantity of stages of the extraction may be 1 to 10, and a temperature for the extraction is greater than or equal to 10°C and less than or equal to 50°C. This is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0100] In some embodiments, when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, a volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1:10 and less than or equal to 10:1.

[0101] In some embodiments, a concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1000 and less than or equal to 30000.

[0102] In some embodiments, a concentration of the extractant in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 1 g / L.

[0103] In some embodiments, a concentration of the nickel in the nickel-removed cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0104] For example, it is assumed that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene (namely, the diluent), and in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, a concentration of cobalt is 31.89 g / L, and a concentration of nickel is 0.52 g / L. In other words, a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is approximately 31.89 / 0.52≈61.33. When volume flow ratios O / A of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution are different, single-stage extraction is performed, mixture time for the extraction is set to 10 minutes (minute, min), and a temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, related data that can be obtained is shown in Table 1. Table 1 Data about single-stage extraction at different volume flow ratiosO / ARaffinateNickel extraction rate (%)Cobalt (g / L)Nickel (g / L)Cobalt / NickelpH1:132.720.2163.601.9361.542:134.350.12286.252.0876.924:139.170.09435.222.1182.696:139.030.05780.602.1390.388:140.290.041007.252.3592.31

[0105] In Table 1, O / A indicates the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution, and the raffinate is the nickel-removed cobalt solution. The nickel extraction rate is calculated as follows: (Concentration of the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution-Concentration of the nickel in the raffinate) / Concentration of the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0106] It can be learned from Table 1 that, when the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 1:1, in the raffinate, a concentration of the cobalt is 32.72 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.2 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 163.6; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 61.54%. When the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 8:1, in the raffinate, a concentration of the cobalt is 40.29 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.04 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 1007.25; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 92.31%.

[0107] It can be further learned from Table 1 that, the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution has great impact on the nickel extraction rate, and a higher volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution indicates a higher nickel extraction rate. According to the nickel removal method in this embodiment of this application, the concentration of the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution can be reduced from 520 milligrams per liter (milligram / liter, mg / L) to 200 mg / L, or even to 40 mg / L. Correspondingly, the concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution can be increased from 61.33 to 1007.25.

[0108] For example, it is assumed that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene, and in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, a concentration of cobalt is 31.89 g / L, and a concentration of nickel is 0.52 g / L. When the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 4:1, simulated five-stage counter-current extraction is performed, mixture time for the extraction is set to 10 min, and a temperature is set to 25°C. In this case, related data that can be obtained is shown in Table 2. Table 2 Data about simulated five-stage counter-current extractionNumber of rowsRaffinateNickel extraction rate (%)Cobalt (g / L)Nickel (g / L)Cobalt / NickelpH1034.20.0019180001.2399.631134.50.0018191672.3999.651234.30.0014245002.4099.731335.40.0019186322.3799.63

[0109] As shown in Table 2, in the raffinate obtained in the 10 th< row, a concentration of the cobalt is 34.2 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.0019 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 18000; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 99.63%. In the raffinate obtained in the 13 th< row, a concentration of the cobalt is 35.4 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.0019 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 18632; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 99.63%.

[0110] It can be further learned from Table 2 that, after the simulated five-stage counter-current extraction, in the raffinate, the concentration of the nickel is reduced from 520 mg / L to less than 2 mg / L, and the concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is increased from 61.33 to at least 18000; and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.6%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of this application can deeply remove the impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0111] For example, it is assumed that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene, and in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, a concentration of cobalt is 31.89 g / L, and a concentration of nickel is 0.52 g / L. When the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 2:1, five-stage cross-current extraction is performed, mixture time for the extraction is set to 10 min, and a temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, related data that can be obtained is shown in Table 3. Table 3 Data about five-stage cross-current extractionQuantity of extractionsRaffinateNickel extraction rate (%)Cobalt (g / L)Nickel (g / L)Cobalt / Nickel133.940.203616760.85235.330.058760288.71335.870.0176203896.62436.320.0059615698.87535.810.00291234899.44

[0112] It can be learned from Table 3 that, in the raffinate obtained in the 1 st< extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, a concentration of the cobalt is 33.94 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.2036 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 167; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 60.85%. In the raffinate obtained in the 5 th< extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, a concentration of the cobalt is 35.81 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.0029 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 12348; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 99.44%.

[0113] It can be further learned from Table 3 that, the quantity of extractions has great impact on the nickel extraction rate, and a larger quantity of extractions indicates a higher nickel extraction rate. After the five-stage cross-current extraction, in the raffinate, the concentration of the nickel can be reduced from 520 mg / L to less than 3 mg / L, and the concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is increased from 61.33 to more than 12000; and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.4%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of this application can deeply remove the impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0114] For example, it is assumed that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 70% extractant and 30% sulfonated kerosene, and in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, a concentration of cobalt is 31.89 g / L, and a concentration of nickel is 0.52 g / L. When the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 2:1, five-stage cross-current extraction is performed, mixture time for the extraction is set to 10 min, and a temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, related data that can be obtained is shown in Table 4. Table 4 Data about five-stage cross-current extractionQuantity of extractionsRaffinateNickel extraction rate (%)Cobalt (g / L)Nickel (g / L)Cobalt / Nickel139.780.233717055.06235.890.0571890.38336.130.0097372598.13436.270.00251450899.52536.360.00142597199.73

[0115] Because the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase in Table 4 includes 70% extractant while the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase in Table 3 includes only 50% extractant, the data in Table 4 is different from that in Table 3 when other extraction conditions are the same.

[0116] It can be learned from Table 4 that, when the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 70% extractant, in the raffinate obtained in the 1 st< extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, a concentration of the cobalt is 39.78 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.2337 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 170; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 55.06%. When the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 70% extractant, in the raffinate obtained in the 5 th< extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, a concentration of the cobalt is 36.36 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.0014 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 25971; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 99.73%.

[0117] It can be further learned from Table 4 that, when the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 70% extractant, after the five-stage cross-current extraction, in the raffinate, the concentration of the nickel can be reduced from 520 mg / L to 1.4 mg / L, and the concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is increased from 61.33 to more than 25000; and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.7%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of this application can deeply remove the impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution. In addition, it can be further learned from Table 3 and Table 4 that, a content of the extractant in the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase has great impact on the nickel extraction rate, and a higher content of the extractant in the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase indicates a higher nickel extraction rate.

[0118] For example, it is assumed that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene, and in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, a concentration of cobalt is 34.33 g / L, and a concentration of nickel is 0.6061 g / L. In other words, a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 56.64. When the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 5:1, five-stage cross-current extraction is performed, mixture time for the extraction is set to 10 min, and a temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, related data that can be obtained is shown in Table 5. Table 5 Data about five-stage cross-current extractionQuantity of extractionsRaffinateNickel extraction rate (%)Cobalt (g / L)Nickel (g / L)Cobalt / Nickel138.140.154324770.33236.730.0054680298.96338.90.0056694698.92438.730.00192038499.63538.80.00152586799.71

[0119] It can be learned from Table 5 that, when the concentration of the cobalt is 34.33 g / L and the concentration of the nickel is 0.6061 g / L in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, in the raffinate obtained in the 1 st< extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, a concentration of the cobalt is 38.14 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.1543 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 247; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 70.33%. When the concentration of the cobalt is 34.33 g / L and the concentration of the nickel is 0.6061 g / L in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, in the raffinate obtained in the 5 th< extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, a concentration of the cobalt is 38.8 g / L, a concentration of the nickel is 0.0015 g / L, and a concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is approximately 25867; and the nickel extraction rate is approximately 99.71%.

[0120] It can be further learned from Table 5 that, when the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase includes 50% extractant, the concentration of the cobalt is 34.33 g / L and the concentration of the nickel is 0.6061 g / L in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, and the volume flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 5:1, after the five-stage cross-current extraction, in the raffinate, the concentration of the nickel is reduced from 606.1 mg / L to 1.5 mg / L, and the concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel is increased from 56.64 to more than 25000; and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.7%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of this application can deeply remove the impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0121] It can be learned from the data in Table 1 to Table 5 that, according to the nickel removal method in this embodiment of this application, the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.7%, and the concentration ratio of the cobalt to the nickel in the obtained raffinate can reach more than 25000. In other words, the nickel removal method in this embodiment of this application can deeply separate the cobalt and the nickel.

[0122] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a structure of a nickel removal device for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of this application. The nickel removal device 300 in FIG. 3 includes a feed inlet 301, an extraction box 310, and a discharge outlet 302 that communicate in sequence. The nickel removal device 300 may perform the method shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

[0123] In some embodiments, the feed inlet 301 may be configured to input an organic phase and / or a nickel-containing cobalt solution. Alternatively, the feed inlet 301 may be configured to input at least one of an organic phase, a first cobalt solution, or a nickel-containing cobalt solution. Alternatively, the feed inlet 301 may be configured to input a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase or a nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0124] In some embodiments, the extraction box 310 may be configured to perform extraction on a nickel-containing cobalt solution by using an organic phase. Alternatively, the extraction box 310 may be configured to: saponify an organic phase with a first cobalt solution, to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase; and perform extraction on a nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase. Alternatively, the extraction box 310 may be configured to perform extraction on a nickel-containing cobalt solution by using a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase.

[0125] In some embodiments, the discharge outlet 302 may be configured to output a nickel-removed cobalt solution. Alternatively, the discharge outlet 302 may be configured to output a nickel-containing organic phase and a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0126] An embodiment of this application may further provide a cobalt solution. The cobalt solution includes the extractant described in S110. Alternatively, the cobalt solution is prepared by using the method shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Alternatively, the cobalt solution is prepared by the foregoing nickel removal device.

[0127] In some embodiments, a concentration of the extractant in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 1 g / L.

[0128] In some embodiments, a concentration of nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0129] In some embodiments, a concentration ratio of cobalt to the nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1000 and less than or equal to 30000.

[0130] An embodiment of this application may further provide a cobalt element. The cobalt element is prepared by using the foregoing cobalt solution.

[0131] An embodiment of this application may further provide an electronic component. The electronic component includes the foregoing cobalt element.

[0132] An embodiment of this application may further provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes the foregoing electronic component.

[0133] The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1.

1. An extractant, wherein the extractant comprises at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine.

2. The extractant according to claim 1, wherein a general formula for the naphthalenesulfonic acid is shown as Formula (I): wherein in Formula (I), R1 is alkyl, R2 is alkyl, M is any metal salt or a hydrogen ion, and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

3. The extractant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a general formula for the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine is shown as Formula (II): wherein in Formula (II), R1 is alkyl, and R2 is alkyl.

4. The extractant according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a chemical formula for R1 is CH3(CH2)m, a chemical formula for R2 is CH3(CH2)p, and m and p are positive integers greater than or equal to 1.

5. The extractant according to claim 4, wherein a value of m is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

6. The extractant according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a value of p is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

7. The extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a concentration of the naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant is greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 100%.

8. The extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a concentration of the dialkyl (pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant is greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 100%.

9. An application of the extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the extractant is used to remove nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution.

10. A nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution, comprising: obtaining an organic phase, wherein the organic phase comprises the extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein performing the extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase comprises: saponifying the organic phase with a first cobalt solution, to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase; and performing the extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, to obtain the nickel-removed cobalt solution.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the organic phase further comprises a diluent, and a volume fraction of the extractant in the organic phase is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 80%.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the diluent is an organic diluent, and the diluent comprises at least one of the following: sulfonated kerosene, No. 260 solvent oil, aviation kerosene, or high-carbon alcohol.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the extraction comprises any one or more of the following: co-current extraction, split-current extraction, counter-current extraction, or cross-current extraction.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein a quantity of stages of the extraction is 1 to 10.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein a pondus hydrogenii pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 5.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein a temperature for the extraction is greater than or equal to 10 degrees Celsius °C and less than or equal to 50°C.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution by using the organic phase, a volume flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1:10 and less than or equal to 10:1.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first cobalt solution is a 4N cobalt solution.

20. A nickel removal device for a nickel-containing cobalt solution, comprising a feed inlet, an extraction box, and a discharge outlet that communicate in sequence, wherein the device is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 19.

21. A cobalt solution, wherein the cobalt solution comprises the extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 8; the cobalt solution is prepared by using the method according to any one of claims 10 to 19; or the cobalt solution is prepared by the nickel removal device according to claim 20.

22. The cobalt solution according to claim 21, wherein a concentration of the extractant in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 grams per liter g / L and less than or equal to 1 g / L.

23. The cobalt solution according to claim 21 or 22, wherein a concentration of nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

24. The cobalt solution according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein a concentration ratio of cobalt to the nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1000 and less than or equal to 30000.

25. A cobalt element, wherein the cobalt element is prepared by using the cobalt solution according to any one of claims 21 to 24.

26. An electronic component, comprising the cobalt element according to claim 25.

27. An electronic device, comprising the electronic component according to claim 26.

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