2023 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
New Malonamide Polyethoxylated Surfactant for Eco-friendly Ion Foam Flotation Process
| Project/Area Number |
22K20487
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| Research Institution | Japan Atomic Energy Agency |
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Principal Investigator |
Micheau Cyril 国立研究開発法人日本原子力研究開発機構, 原子力科学研究部門 原子力科学研究所 物質科学研究センター, 博士研究員 (70961291)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | Flotation / Malonamide / Foam / Interface / Synthesis |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This work aims to develop a new surfactant system for the extraction and separation of rare earth elements and/or platinum group metals using the ion foam flotation process. For this purpose, synthesis and characterisation of a new malonamide polyethoxylated surfactant is consider.
For the synthesis, two main routes are planned: (i) esterification between the polyethoxylated carboxylic acid surfactant AKYPO LS-O90 and the N(1), N(3)-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)malonamide, and (ii) alkylation between malonamide molecule and the polyethoxylated alcohol surfactant BrijO10 (or Brij S10). Reactants have been ordered and received, and the characterisation of surfactants were performed in term of purity, pKa and micelle surface charge. Additional synthesis routes are being consider in order to reduce reactant cost and synthesis steps.
For the characterisation of the process in term of flotation efficiency and microstructure through SANS and NR analyses, dedicated columns (and flowmeter) were designed, ordered and received. Technical feasibility of SANS experiments on foam with the new column has been demonstrated with a model surfactant system. NR measurement on malonamide standard systems has been performed at J-PARC, MLF, as a preliminary experiment and had demonstrated the feasibility of analysing liquid-air interfaces.
Finally, the results obtained led to the publication of two articles in peer reviewed journal (Langmuir and J. Mol. Liq.) as well as press release in Japanese journals. This study opened new routes in separation chemistry and is a milestone for future projects.
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