Separation and concentration of cobalt from ammoniacal solutions containing cobalt and nickel by emulsion liquid membranes using 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline (DBHQ)

The separation and concentration of cobalt from ammoniacal solutions containing nickel and cobalt by an emulsion liquid membranes (ELMs) using 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline as extractant has been presented. Membrane solution consists of a diluent (kerosene), a surfactant (Span 80), a modifier (tributylphosphate), and an extractant (DBHQ). Very dilute sulphuric solution containing EDTA as complexing agent, buffered at pH 5.0, has been used as a stripping solution. pH of ammoniacal feed solution containing cobalt and nickel was adjusted to 9.0 with hydrochloric acid. The important variables governing the permeation of cobalt have been studied. These variables are membrane composition, pH of the feed solution, cobalt and nickel concentrations of the feed solution, mixing speed, surfactant concentration, extractant concentration, EDTA concentration and pH of the stripping solution, and phase ratio. After the optimum conditions had been determined, it was possible to selectively extract 99.0% of cobalt from ammoniacal feed solution containing Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. The separation factors of cobalt with respect to nickel, based on initial feed concentration, have experimentally found to be of as high as 247.5 for about equimolar Co–Ni feed solutions.     

A competitive transport across polymeric membranes. Study of complexation and separation of ions

The removal and separation of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) from nitrate aqueous solutions were studied by competitive transport across cellulose triacetate plasticized membranes modified with polyelectrolytes: polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG). Competitive transport of trace ions from aqueous solutions across polymer inclusion membranes containing a mixture of the three polymers (cellulose triacetate as the support) and tris(2-ethylhexyl-phosphate) (TEHP) as the plasticizer provide the selectivity order: Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II). A long-term transport experiment was carried out to demonstrate the durability of polymer inclusion membranes. A separation of bivalents cations (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺) and monovalent cations (K⁺ and Na⁺) is achieved.     

Micro-electrodeposition in the presence of ionic liquid for the preconcentration of trace amounts of Fe,Co, Ni and Zn from aqueous samples

The paper presents the preconcentration of trace elements via electrodeposition onto a (micro)aluminum cathode in the presence of ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF₆] as a supporting electrolyte. The advantages of the proposed method include very simple instrumentation for the preconcentration of trace elements and low-cost reagents. The experiment showed that the use of ionic liquid in the electrodeposition process significantly improves sensitivity, recovery and detection limits for the determination of trace amounts of iron, cobalt, nickel and zinc. The preconcentrated metals were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The optimum parameters for electrodeposition such as pH, the volume of the analyzed solution, the voltage and the deposition time were studied. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits were 5, 2, 3 and 6 μg L^− 1 for iron, cobalt, nickel and zinc, respectively. The precision and recovery of the method were in the range of 3–5.5%, and 92–103%, respectively. The calibration was performed using aqueous standards of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) in the range 0.01–0.25 mg L^− 1. The method was applied successfully in water analysis.     

A novel method for Co(Ⅱ) and Cu(Ⅱ) analysis by capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection

Based on the fact that some metal ions can catalyze the chemiluminescence(CL)reaction of luminol with K_3Fe(CN)_6,a novel capillary electrophoresis CL method was developed for the determination of Co(Ⅱ)and Cu(Ⅱ).The separation was carried out with a 10 mmol/L sodium acetate solution containing 0.8 mmol/L luminol and 2.0 mmol/Lα-HIBA(adjusted to pH 4.8 by HAc solution).The post-capillary reagent was 2.0 mmol/L K_3Fe(CN)_6 which was adjusted to pH 13.0 by NaOH solution.Under the optimum conditions,the detection limits(S/N=3)for Co(Ⅱ)and Cu(Ⅱ)were 7.5×10~(-11)mol/L and 7.5×10~(-9)mol/L,with the linear range of 7.5×10~(-9)mol/L to 1.0×10~(-6)mol/L and 7.5×10~(-8)mol/L to 5.0×10~(-5)mol/L, respectively.     

Application of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes as solid sorbent for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of manganese ions

In this work, the potential of modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of manganese ion is studied. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were oxidized with concentrated HNO₃ and then modified with loading 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphtol. Mn(II) ions could be quantitatively retained by modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the pH range of 8–9.5. Elution of the adsorbed manganese was carried out with 5.0 mL of 0.1 mol L^?1 HNO₃. Detection limit is 0.058 ng mL^?1 and analytical curve is linear in the range of 0.1 ng mL^?1–5.0 μg mL^?1 in the initial solution with a correlation coefficient 0.9977 and the preconcentration factor is 100. Relative standard deviation for eight replicate determination of 0.5 μg mL^?1 of manganese in the final solution is 0.41%. The effects of the experimental parameters, including the sample pH, flow rates of sample and eluent solution, eluent type, breakthrough volume and interference ions, were studied for preconcentration of Mn(II) ions in detail to optimize the conditions. The method was successfully applied for separation, preconcentration and determination of manganese in different samples.     

Investigation and characterization of PVA-g-AAc/Zol membranes for possible practical use in separation processes

Poly(vinyl alcohol) films were grafted with two monomers (acrylic acid and N-vinyl imidazole) using the gamma irradiation technique. The melting temperature (T_m) and glass transition temperature (T_g) of the grafted membranes were determined with respect to the grafting yield. The ability of these membranes to separate cobalt from nickel has been investigated. The diffusion of cobalt and nickel ions from the feed compartment to the receiver compartment depends on the grafting yield and the pH of the feed solution. Cobalt ions do not diffuse through the membrane when the pH of the feed solution is >4.5. Thus, the prepared membranes could be considered for the separation of cobalt ions from nickel ions. The temperature of thermal decomposition of pure PVA-g-AAc/Zol membrane, PVA-g-AAc/Zol membranes containing cobalt ions, and PVA-g-AAc/Zol membranes containing nickel ions are determined using TGA analyzer; it was shown that the presence of cobalt and nickel increases the decomposition temperature. Also the membranes bonded with cobalt ions are more stable than the membranes containing nickel ions.     

Emulsion liquid membrane extraction of Ni(II) and Co(II) from acidic chloride solutions using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid as extractant

An emulsion liquid membrane process using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) to extract and separate Ni(II) and Co(II) from acidic chloride solutions is described. Liquid membrane consists of a diluent, a surfactant (Span 80), and an extractant (D2EHPA). Hydrochloric acid was used as the stripping solution. The important parameters governing the permeation of nickel and their effect on the separation process have been studied. These parameters are stirring speed, feed phase pH, surfactant concentration, extractant concentration, stripping phase concentration, phase ratio, initial concentration of metal, and treatment ratio. The optimum conditions have been determined. The separation factors of Ni(II) with respect to Co(II), based on initial feed concentration, have been experimentally determined. Furthermore, the extraction selectivity for Co(II) over Ni(II) has been improved by using D2EHPA during the initial minutes.     

Selective colorimetric assay of cyanide ions using a thioamide-based probe containing phenol and pyridyl groups

The selective assay of cyanide ions with a thioamide compound (HNPTU) containing phenol and pyridine as a chemosensor is reported using absorbance changes in a buffered aqueous solution (50 mM HEPES, pH 7.4) containing ethanol. Upon treatment with cyanide ions, the colorless solution of HNPTU turned yellow. No significant changes were observed with other comparable anions, such as F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, and CH₃COO⁻. The color change of HNPTU upon treatment with CN⁻ was maintained even in the presence of the comparable monovalent anions. The complex stability constant (K_a = 2.6 × 10³) for the stoichiometric 1:1 complexation of HNPTU with cyanide ions was obtained based on absorbance titrations. The interaction of HNPTU with cyanide ions was proposed to be deprotonation, as shown by NMR and Cu(II) treatment experiments.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of new tetradentate Schiff base and its coordination compounds of NOON donor atoms and their antibacterial and antifungal activity

New Schiff base (H₂L) ligand is prepared via condensation of o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminobenzoic acid in 1:2 ratio. Metal complexes are prepared and characterized using elemental analyses, IR, solid reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance, ¹H NMR, ESR and thermal analysis (TGA). From the elemental analyses data, the complexes were proposed to have the general formulae [MCl(L)(H₂O)]·2H₂O (where M = Cr(III) and Fe(III)); [M(L)]·yH₂O (where M = Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), y = 1–2) and [M(L)(H₂O)_n]·yH₂O (where M = Co(II) (n = y = 2), Co(II) (n = y = 1), Ni(II) (n = 2, y = 1). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates were non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that H₂L is coordinated to the metal ions in a bi-negative tetradentate manner with NOON donor sites of the azomethine-N and carboxylate-O. The ¹H NMR spectral data indicate that the two carboxylate protons are also displaced during complexation. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it was found that the geometrical structure of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II)), square planar (Cu(II)), trigonal bipyramidal (Co(II)) and tetrahedral (Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)). The thermal behaviour of these chelates showed that the hydrated complexes losses water molecules of hydration in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the ligand molecule in the subsequent steps. The biological activity data show that the metal complexes to be more potent/antibacterial than the parent Shciff base ligand against one or more bacterial species.     

Immobilized glycerol-based liquid membranes in hollow fibers for selective CO2 separation from CO2–N2 mixtures

Glycerol-based liquid membranes immobilized in the pores of hydrophilic microporous hollow fibers have been studied for selective separation of CO₂ from a mixed gas (CO₂, N₂) feed having low concentrations of CO₂ characteristic of gases encountered in space walk and space cabin atmosphere. The immobilized liquid membranes (ILMs) investigated consist of sodium carbonate–glycerol or glycine-Na–glycerol solution. Based on the performances of such liquid membranes in flat hydrophilic porous substrates [Chen et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 38 (1999) 3489; Chen et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 39 (2000) 2447], hollow fiber-based ILMs were studied at selected CO₂ partial pressure differentials (Δp_CO2 range 0.36–0.50 cmHg), relative humidities (RH range 45–100%), as well as carrier concentrations. The sodium carbonate concentration was primarily 1.0 mol/dm³; the glycine-Na concentration was 3.0 mol/dm³. The sweep gas was always dry helium and it flowed on the shell side. Very high CO₂/N₂ selectivities were observed with porous polysulfone microfiltration membranes as substrate. As in the case of flat film-based ILMs (see references above), feed side RH is an important factor determining the ILM performances. Generally, lower permeances and greater CO₂/N₂ selectivity values were observed at lower feed stream RHs. When the feed side average RH=60%, p_CO2,f=0.005 atm and glycine-Na concentration was 3.0 M, the CO₂/N₂ separation factor observed was over 5000. Prolonged runs lasting for 300 h showed that the hollow fiber-based ILM permeation performances were stable.     

Spin-crossover in cobalt(II) compounds containing terpyridine and its derivatives

In this review article we discuss the unique and novel magnetic properties for the cobalt(II) compounds with a variety of terpy derivatives including substituents at the 4-position. These are also compared with the unsubstituted terpy cobalt(II) complex. Since the first SCO cobalt(II) complex with terpy ligand was reported, this system has been widely studied. SCO cobalt(II) complexes possessing terpy or OH-terpy ligand reveal incomplete or gradual SCO behavior. The pyterpy-appended cobalt(II) complex shows SCO depending on the guest molecules involved. Cobalt(II) complexes with long-alkylated terpy ligands, [Co(Cn-terpy)₂](BF₄)₂ (n = 16, 14 and 12) have been synthesized and some were characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. Furthermore, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility indicated that the non-solvated compounds [Co(Cn-terpy)₂](BF₄)₂ (n = 16, 14 and 12) exhibit “reverse spin transition” phenomenon with wide thermal hysteresis around room temperature. In addition, the solvated compound [Co(C12-terpy)₂](BF₄)₂·EtOH·0.5H₂O shows “re-entrant SCO” behavior. The long alkyl chains in SCO cobalt(II) complexes can lead to novel physical properties resulting from a synergetic effect between SCO and response of the flexibility toward external stimuli.     

Electrodialytic separation of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) using liquid membranes based on tri-n-octylamine and trialkylbenzylammonium chloride

Electrodialytic separation of Co(II) and Ni(II) in the course of their transfer from 3–4 M HCl solutions into dilute solutions of various acids using liquid membranes that contain anion-exchange carriers was studied. The influence exerted on the metal transport rate and separation efficiency by the compositions of the feed and receiving aqueous solutions and of liquid membranes and by the electrodialysis current density was examined. Under optimal conditions, in metal recovery from a solution containing an equimolar mixture of 0.01 M CoCl₂ and NiCl₂, the separation factor β_Co/Ni is 147; when nickel in the feed solution is in excess, it reaches 330, and when cobalt(II) is in excess, it exceeds 400.     

Effect of top layer swelling on the oxygen/nitrogen separation by surface modified polyurethane membranes

Cobalt(II) was chelated on the surface of a hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based polyurethane (PU) membrane. The surface of a HTPB based PU membrane was first modified by ethylenediamine (EA) plasma. The cobalt chelated membrane was prepared by immersing the plasma treated membrane into a cobalt(II)/formamide solution for various length of time. For a fair comparison, the untreated and plasma treated membranes were also immersed in formamide solution. The gas transport properties of all three membranes were compared. Without solvent immersion, the O₂/N₂ selectivity increased from 2.6 to 3.1 after EA plasma treatment. But the permeability decreased from 0.88 GPU to 0.35 GPU. The selectivity was further improved to 4.4 by immersing the plasma treated membrane in a solution of CoCl₂·6H₂O/formamide for 1 h, but the permeability decreased to 0.23 GPU. The solvent immersion had little effect on the transport properties of the untreated membrane. But the transport properties of the plasma treated and cobalt chelated membranes were greatly affected by the formamide immersion. The oxygen and nitrogen permeabilities of the modified top layers could be calculated from a series model for composite membranes. It was found that both the permeability and selectivity of the top layer of the plasma treated membrane increased with the solvent immersing time. For the top layer of the cobalt chelated membrane, the gas permeability first decreased after 1 h immersion and then increased after further immersion in CoCl₂·6H₂O/formamide solution. The selectivity of cobalt chelated membrane increased as the gas permeability decreased and vice versa. These results implied that the EA grafting enhanced the O₂/N₂ selectivity by increasing its oxygen affinity but the cobalt chelating increased the O₂/N₂ selectivity by enhancing the size sieving effect.     

Removal of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) metal ions from binary aqueous solution by rice husk ash

The present study reports the competitive adsorptive removal of cadmium (Cd(II)) and zinc (Zn(II)) ions from binary systems using rice husk ash (RHA), a waste obtained from the rice husk-fired furnaces, as an adsorbent. The initial pH (pH₀) affects significantly the capacity of RHA for adsorbing the metallic ions in the aqueous solution. The pH₀ ≈ 6.0 is found to be the optimum for the removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions by RHA. The single ion equilibrium adsorption from the binary solution is better represented by the non-competitive Redlich–Peterson (R–P) and the Freundlich models than by Langmuir model in the initial metal concentration range of 10–100 mg/l. The adsorption of Zn(II) ion is more than that of Cd(II) ion, and this trend is in agreement with the single-component adsorption data. The equilibrium metal removal decreases with increasing concentrations of the other metal ion and the combined effect of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions on RHA is generally found to be antagonistic. Non-modified Langmuir, modified Langmuir, extended-Langmuir, extended-Freundlich, Sheindorf–Rebuhn–Sheintuch (SRS), non-modified R–P and modified R–P adsorption models were tested to find the most appropriate competitive adsorption isotherm for the binary adsorption of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions onto RHA by minimizing the Marquardt's percent standard deviation (MPSD) error function. The extended-Freundlich model satisfactorily represents the adsorption equilibrium data of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions onto RHA.     

Synthesis and reactions of heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complexes acting as copolymerization catalyst for aziridine and carbon monoxide

A series of heterodinuclear acylpalladium–cobalt complexes having a bidentate nitrogen ligand, L₂(RCO)Pd–Co(CO)₄ (L₂ = bpy, R = Me (5), Ph (6); L₂ = tmeda, R = Me (7), Ph (8); L₂ = phen, R = Me (9), Ph (10)) are prepared by metathetical reactions of PdRIL₂ with Na⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻ followed by treatment with CO. These complexes are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies and elemental analyses, and the molecular structures of 6, 8, and 9 are determined by X-ray structure analysis. Geometry at Pd is essentially square planar and the Co atom is considered to have d¹⁰ tetrahedral structure, where cobalt(-I) anion coordinates to palladium(II) cation. Heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complexes are shown to catalyze copolymerization of aziridines and CO under mild conditions. Reaction of (dppe)MePd–Co(CO)₄ (1) with aziridine gives a cationic (aziridine)palladium(II) complex with [Co(CO)₄]⁻ anion, [PdMe(aziridine)(dppe)]⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻ (13).     

New 14-membered octaazamacrocyclic complexes of divalent transition metal ions with their antimicrobial and spectral studies

A novel series of macrocyclic complexes of the type [M(C₁₈H₁₄N₁₀S₂)X₂]; where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II); X = Cl^?, NO₃^?, CH₃COO^? has been synthesized by [2+2] condensation of thiocarbohydrazide and isatin in the presence of divalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic, NMR and infrared spectral studies. The low value of molar conductance indicates them to be non-electrolytes. On the basis of various studies a distorted octahedral geometry may be proposed for all of these complexes. These metal complexes were also tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against some Gram-positive bacteria viz.Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and some Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some fungal strains Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus (molds), Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeasts). The results obtained were compared with standard antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin and the standard antifungal drug: Amphotericin-B.     

Reactivity of sugar cane bagasse as a natural solid phase extractor for selective removal of Fe(III) and heavy-metal ions from natural water samples

This work introduces the feasibility of using sugar cane bagasse (SCB) – a sugar cane industry waste – as a selective solid phase extractor for Fe(III). The order of metal uptake capacities in μmol g^?1 for the extraction of six tested metal ions from aqueous solution using static technique is Fe(III) > Cu(II) > Pb(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II) > Co(II). Since SCB exhibits remarkable binding characteristics for Fe(III), special interest was devoted for optimizing its uptake and studying its selectivity properties under static and dynamic conditions. In this respect, batch experiments were carried out at the pH range 1.0–4.0, initial concentration of metal ion (10–100 μmol), weight of phase (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg) and shaking time (10, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min). FT-IR spectra of SCB before and after uptake of Fe(III) were recorded to explore the nature of the functional groups responsible for binding of Fe(III) onto the studied natural biosorbent. The equilibrium data were better fitted with Langmuir model (r² = 0.985) than Freundlich model (r² = 0.934). Moreover, Fe(III) sorption was fast and completed within 60 min. The adsorption kinetics data were best fitted with the pseudo-second-order type. As a view to find a suitable application of SCB based on its unique property as a benign sorbent, it was found that, Fe(III) spiked natural water samples such as doubly distilled water (DDW), drinking tap water (DTW), natural drinking water (NDW), ground water (GW) and Nile River water (NRW) was quantitatively recovered (>95.0%) using batch and column experiments, with no matrix interferences.     

New tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene chelators for small molecule activation

In an effort to develop new tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands for small molecule activation, two new classes of tripodal NHC ligands TIME^R and TIMEN^R have been synthesized. The carbon-anchored tris(carbene) ligand system TIME^R (R = Me, t-Bu) forms bi- or polynuclear metal complexes. While the methyl derivative exclusively forms trinuclear 3:2 complexes [(TIME^Me)₂M₃]³⁺ with group 11 metal ions, the tert-butyl derivative yields a dinuclear 2:2 complex [(TIME^t-Bu)₂Cu₂]²⁺ with copper(I). The latter complex shows both “normal” and “abnormal” carbene binding modes and accordingly, is best formulated as a bis(carbene)alkenyl complex. The nitrogen-anchored tris(carbene) ligands TIMEN^R (R = alkyl, aryl) bind to a variety of first-row transition metal ions in 1:1 stoichiometry, affording monomeric complexes with a protected reactivity cavity at the coordinated metal center. Complexes of TIMEN^R with Cu(I)/(II), Ni(0)/(I), and Co(I)/(II)/(III) have been synthesized. The cobalt(I) complexes with the aryl-substituted TIMEN^R (R = mesityl, xylyl) ligands show great potential for small molecule activation. These complexes activate for instance dioxygen to form cobalt(III) peroxo complexes that, upon reaction with electrophilic organic substrates, transfer an oxygen atom. The cobalt(I) complexes are also precursors for terminal cobalt(III) imido complexes. These imido complexes were found to undergo unprecedented intra-molecular imido insertion reactions to form cobalt(II) imine species. The molecular and electronic structures of some representative metal NHC complexes as well as the nature of the metal–carbene bond of these metal NHC complexes was elucidated by X-ray and DFT computational methods and are discussed briefly. In contrast to the common assumption that NHCs are pure σ-donors, our studies revealed non-negligible and even significant π-backbonding in electron-rich metal NHC complexes.     

Highly selective solid-phase extraction of trace Pd(II) by murexide functionalized halloysite nanotubes

The originality on the high efficiency of murexide modified halloysite nanotubes as a new adsorbent of solid phase extraction has been reported to preconcentrate and separate Pd(II) in solution samples. The new adsorbent was confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. Effective preconcentration conditions of analyte were examined using column procedures prior to detection by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The effects of pH, the amount of adsorbent, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition and the interfering ions were optimized in detail. Under the optimized conditions, Pd(II) could be retained on the column at pH 1.0 and quantitatively eluted by 2.5 mL of 0.01 mol L^?1 HCl–3% thiourea solution at a flow rate of 2.0 mL min^?1. The analysis time was 5 min. An enrichment factor of 120 was accomplished. Common interfering ions did not interfere in both separation and determination. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 42.86 mg g^?1 for Pd(II).The detection limit (3σ) of the method was 0.29 ng mL^?1, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.1% (n = 11). The method was validated using certified reference material, and has been applied for the determination of trace Pd(II) in actual samples with satisfactory results.     

Stability and tribological performances of fluid phospholipid bilayers: Effect of buffer and ions

We have investigated the mechanical and tribological properties of supported Dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) bilayers in different solutions: ultrapure water (pH 5.5), saline solution (150 mM NaCl, pH 5.8), Tris buffer (pH 7.2) and Tris saline buffer (150 mM NaCl, pH 7.2). Friction forces are measured using a homemade biotribometer. Lipid bilayer degradation is controlled in situ during friction tests using fluorescence microscopy. Mechanical resistance to indentation is measured by force spectroscopy with an atomic force microscope. This study confirms that mechanical stability under shear or normal load is essential to obtain low and constant friction coefficients. In ultrapure water, bilayers are not resistant and have poor lubricant properties. On the other hand, in Tris saline buffer, they fully resist to indentation and exhibit low (μ = 0.035) and stable friction coefficient with no visible wear during the 50 min of the friction test. The unbuffered saline solution improves the mechanical resistance to indentation but not the lubrication. These results suggest that the adsorption of ions to the zwiterrionic bilayers has different effects on the mechanical and tribological properties of bilayers: higher resistance to normal indentation due to an increase in bilayer cohesion, higher lubrication due to an increase in bilayer–bilayer repulsion.