Application of APCD/DIBK extraction system in strongly acidic media: Determination of traces of copper and nickel in titanium metals by extraction-flame atomic-absorption spectrometry

Extraction of nickel in strongly acidic solution (0.01 approximately 8M hydrochloric acid) with ammonium 1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioate (APCD) into di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK) has been studied, and the APCD/DIBK system has been applied to simultaneous extraction and flame atomic-absorption spectrometric determination of trace amounts of copper and nickel in titanium metal. Nickel could be extracted with copper from strongly acidic solution such as up to 5M hydrochloric acid with APCD/DIBK system. The extraction from such a strongly acidic media made it possible to extract nickel with copper, since it did not require the addition of a large amount of the masking agent which prevents the hydrolysis of the matrix titanium and also prevents the extraction of nickel. Thus, they could be extracted directly from the titanium metal sample digested by concentrated hydrochloric acid with a small amount of tetrafluorohydroboric acid. Effect of coexistence of a large amount (at least 0.2 g) of iron on the extraction of both elements could be prevented by keeping most of the matrix titanium as Ti(III). With the method described here, mug/g levels of copper and nickel in titanium metal could be rapidly determined with good precision and accuracy.