Separation method of zirconium and hafnium with acidic extractants

A method of obtaining zirconium from a mixture of zirconium and hafnium comprising the steps of:

• a mixing step to prepare a crude liquid for extraction, by mixing a sulfuric acid solution including zirconium and hafnium, a catalyst, and an acidic extractant;
• and
• a first extraction step of forming a first extract solution layer comprising the acidic extractant in which the hafnium has been extracted and a sulfuric acid solution layer separated from the first extract solution layer,
• a separation step and
• a reverse extraction step after the first extraction step to obtain zirconium having content of below 50 ppm of hafnium;
• wherein,
• the acidic extractant is selected from the group consisting of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid, 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester and a combination thereof;
• and
• the separation step is to separate the first extract solution layer and the sulfuric acid solution layer, and the reverse extraction step is to prepare a second extract solution by mixing and stirring the first extract solution and water for extracting zirconium from the first extract solution layer to water.