Selectivity Coefficients for Ag(CN)2−and Au(CN)2−from Continuous Foam Fractionation with a Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant

Abstract
An experimental study is presented of the continuous flow, foam fractionation of cyanide complex anions: Ag(CN)2 and Au(CN)2 from 1.0 to 8.0 × 10−5 M aqueous solutions. The quaternary ammonium surfactant, hexadecyltriethylammonium iodide, is modeled as a soluble ion exchanger. The selectivity coefficients were determined for Ag(CN)2 vs I equal to 2.71, and for Au(CN)2 vs I equal to 10.85. These coefficients are discussed in terms of the physicochemical properties of cyanide complex anions.