Competitive transport of toxic metal ions by polymer inclusion membranes

The paper gives a short overview of application of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) for separation and removal of metal ions. Investigation of the selective removal of toxic metal ions, i.e. Cr(VI), Cd(II), Zn(II) from acidic chloride aqueous solutions, as well as trace radionuclides, i.e., ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr and ⁶⁰Co from wastewaters using transport across polymer inclusion membranes was studied. The carriers, i.e., tri-n-octylamine for anionic metal species, as well as dibenzo-21-crown-7, tertbutyl-dibenzo-21-crown-7, and dinonylnaphtalenesulfonic acid for metal cations were incorporated into polymer inclusion membranes composed of cellulose triacetate as a support and o-nitrophenyl pentyl ether as a plasticizer. Selective transport of chromium(VI) over zinc(II) and cadmium(II) chloride complexes through PIMs was observed. Competitive transport of trace radionuclide ions, i.e., ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, and ⁶⁰Co from NaNO₃ aqueous solutions across polymer inclusion membranes containing a mixture of dinonylnaphtalenesulfonic acid, and dibenzo-21-crown-7 as the carrier provide the selectivity order Cs(I)>Sr(II)>Co(II).     

Supported liquid membrane extraction of W(VI) ions using tri-n-octylamine as carrier

Study of the extraction of W(VI) ions using supported liquid membrane has been carried out. The carrier used for this metal ion transport, is tri-n-octylamine (TOA) dissolved in xylene. The liquid was supported in microporous polypropylene film. The parameters studied are effect of carrier concentration in the membrane, acid concentrations in the feed solution, concentration of stripping agent on transport of W(VI) ions and of temperature on the transport properties of these supported liquid membranes. The optimum conditions of transport for these metal ions determined are, TOA concentration, 0.66 mol·dm^–3 (TOA); HF concentration in the feed solution, 0.01 mol·dm^–3 and concentration of NaOH used as stripping agent 2.5 mol·dm^–3. The maximum flux and permeability determined under optimum conditions are 3.06·10^–5 mol·m^–2·s^–1 and 8.44·10^–11 mol· ·m²·s^–1 at 25±2°C and 4.21·10^–5 mol·m^–2·s^–1 and 11.55·10^–11 mol·m²·s^–1 at 65°C, respectively. The diffusion coefficients for the metal ion carrier complex in the membrane have also been determined. Under the optimum conditions the value for the metal ion carrier complex is 0.14·10^–11 mol·m²·s^–1. Mechanism of transport and the complex formed in the presence of HF have also been discussed. The transport process involves two carrier amine molecules and two protons.     

Cs+ and Ba2+ Selective Transport by a Novel Self-Assembled Isoguanosine Ionophore Through Polymer Inclusion and Bulk Liquid Membranes

5'-(Tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2',3'-O-isopropylidene isoguanosine(isoG 1) serves as a selective Cs⁺ carrier in liquid membrane transport. IsoG~1 is a lipophilic nucleoside that self-assembles via hydrogen bonds and cation-dipole interactions to form a stable decamer sandwich complex with Cs⁺. Using an acidic receiving phase, Cs⁺ transport through polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) was observed at concentrations of isoG 1 below 21 mM. When isoG 1 was precomplexed with Cs⁺ to give the (isoG 1)₁₀-Cs⁺decamer, flux was observed above 21 mM carrier. The Cs⁺ flux increased with increasing carrier concentration of the precomplexed (isoG 1)₁₀-Cs⁺ decamer. The Cs⁺ transport selectivity by isoG 1 was investigated in the presence of sodium salt solutions of high concentration. Excellent Cs⁺ flux and selectivity over the other alkali metal cations was observed in PIMs and bulk liquid membranes (BLMs). In the absence of Cs⁺, this ionophore exhibitsgood Ba²⁺ selectivity in BLMs.     

Electrodialysis of uranium(VI) through cation exchange membranes and modeling of electrodialysis processes

The transport of ionic species through ion exchange membranes found several applications for water effluents purification and metal ion separation. To enhance the transport performance, the effect of electric fields was suggested in this work. The transport of U(VI) species in nitric acid solutions across cation exchange membranes was investigated. Different parameters affecting the transport of U(VI) were studied. These parameters include: nitric acid concentration in the feed solution, stripping solution concentration and applied electric field. From the results obtained, the cationic flux of U(VI) was 6.5^.10^–8 geq^.cm^–2.s^–1 at the optimal conditions of 10^–3M HNO₃ in the feed solution, 0.5M Na₂CO₃ in the stripping solution and 30 V. The modeling of the electrodialysis process was also made. The model correlates the mass transfer as a function of current density and voltage as variables and takes into account the electro-osmotic effect. The model is applied to the experimental data.     

Facilitated Transport of Cr(VI) through Polymer Inclusion Membrane System Containing Calix[4]arene Derivative as Carrier Agent

Chromium(VI) is one of the major toxic elements present in environmental samples. The polymer inclusion membrane (PIM), has been developed to provide metal ion transport with high selectivity. This study was conducted to discover efficient methods for removing Cr(VI) from wastewater. A functionalized calix[4]arene carrier 1 in a PIM system was used to transport Cr(VI) from an acidic aqueous donor phase solution to an acceptor phase that contained an acetic acid/ammonium acetate solution at pH 6. The prepared PIM was characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) techniques as well as with contact angle measurements. The efficiency of Cr(VI) transport through the PIM was investigated by studying the effects of carrier concentration on the membrane phase as well as by measuring the amount of plasticizer in the membrane, the pH in the acceptor phase and the membrane's stability and thickness. The kinetic parameters were calculated as rate constant (k), permeability coefficient (P), flux (J) and diffusion coefficient (D_o). The transport efficiency of Cr(VI) was observed to be 98.61% after 10 h under optimized conditions. The experimental results show that Cr(VI) can transport from the donor phase to the acceptor phase with high efficiency through the PIM. The results also suggest that the transport efficiency of the PIM was reproducible and that a PIM is effective for long-term separation processes.     

Liquid — Liquid extraction of silver(I) by diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane in benzene from aqueous mineral acid — Thiocyanate solutions

Liquid — liquid extraction of Ag(I) by diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane (DPPM) in benzene from aqueous nitric and sulfuric acid solutions containing thiocyanate ions has been studied at ambient temperature (24±2 °C). The metal is extracted quantitatively from 0.01M HNO₃+0.02M KSCN; or 0.25M H₂SO₄+0.02M KSCN by 0.1M DPPM (optimum extraction conditions). Slope analysis indicates that two types of ion-pair complexes i.e. [(DPPMH)⁺·Ag(SCN) ₂ ^– ] and [(DPPMH) ₂ ⁺ ·Ag(SCN) ₃ ^2– ] are involved in the extraction process. Separation factors determined at optimum conditions reveal the separation of Ag(I) from Cs(I), Br(I), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Fe(III), Au(III) (from HNO₃ solution only), Cr(III), Hf(IV), Ta(V), Sn(IV) and Cr(VI). With the exception of thiosulfate, other complexing anions like ascorbate, acetate, citrate, oxalate do not hinder the extraction of Ag(I) under optimum conditions.     

The Oxidation of Luminol an Experiment to Maximize the Efficiency of Chemiluminescence from Luminol

In this work, seven inorganic salts, KCl, Na₂SO₄, MgSO₄-7H₂O, ZnCl₂, Na₂CrO₄, CuSO₄-5H₂O, and K₃[Fe(CN)₆], were used as catalysts to induce chemiluminescent luminol oxidation in alkaline aqueous media. It was observed that simple salts containing either Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ cations or SO₄^2– and Cl^– anions, are not active as catalysts. On the other hand, the relative order of activity detected for the active chemiluminescent salts containing Fe(III), Cu(II) and Cr(VI) cations is K₃[Fe(CN)₆] < CuSO₄-5H₂O < Na₂CrO₄. The intensity of the emitted light agrees with the standard reduction potentials of the corresponding redox couple and with the presence of paramagnetic species in the aqueous solutions. The inhibition effect of mannitol was also studied.     

Development of analytical procedures for determination of total chromium by quadrupole ICP–MS and high-resolution ICP–MS,and hexavalent chromium by HPLC–ICP–MS,in different materials used in the automotive industry

A European directive was recently adopted limiting the use of hazardous substances such as Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cr(VI) in vehicle manufacturing. From July 2003 a maximum of 2 g Cr(VI) will be authorised per vehicle in corrosion-preventing coatings of key components. As no standardised procedures are available to check if produced vehicles are in agreement with this directive, the objective of this work was to develop analytical procedures for total chromium and Cr(VI) determination in these materials. The first step of this study was to optimise digestion procedures for total chromium determination in plastic and metallic materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). High resolution (HR) ICP–MS was used to examine the influence of polyatomic interferences on the detection of the ⁵²Cr⁺ and ⁵³Cr⁺ isotopes. If there was strong interference with m/z 52 for plastic materials, it was possible to use quadrupole ICP–MS for m/z 53 if digestions were performed with HNO₃+H₂O₂. This mixture was also necessary for digestion of chromium from metallic materials. Extraction procedures in alkaline medium (NH₄⁺/NH₃ buffer solution at pH 8.9) assisted by sonication were developed for determining Cr(VI) in four different corrosion-preventing coatings by HPLC–ICP–MS. After optimisation and validation with the only solid reference material certified for its Cr(VI) content (BCR 545; welding dusts), the efficiency of this extraction procedure for screw coatings was compared with that described in the EN ISO 3613 standard generally used in routine laboratories. For coatings comprising zinc and aluminium passivated in depth with chromium oxides the extraction procedure developed herein enabled determination of higher Cr(VI) concentrations. This was also observed for the screw covered with a chromium passivant layer on zinc–nickel. For coating comprising a chromium passivant layer on alkaline zinc the standardized extraction procedure was more efficient. In the case of painted metallic plate, because of a reactive matrix towards Cr(VI), its extraction without degradation was difficult to perform.     

Transport study of V(V), Zn(II) and Be(II) using supported liquid membranes

V(V), Zn(II) and Be(II) have been studied to test oxine and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) as carriers for transport through supported liquid membranes in polypropylene film. All the three types of ions can be passed through such membranes using oxine in case of V(V) and TBP in case of Zn(II) and Be(II). Maximum flux of metal ions has been observed from 0.01M H₂SO₄ for V(V) (3.22·10^–6 mol·m^–2·s^–1) and 2M HCl containing 3M CaCl₂ for Zn(II) solution (1.4·10^–6 mol·m^–2·s^–1). Low flux was observed in case of Be(II) since the membrane was affected by sulphocyanide group and did not remain hydrophobic. Mechanism of transport for these metal ions have been proposed separately. Distribution coefficient data for V(V) have also been evaluated to determine theoretical values of the permeability coefficient, and compared with experimental values.     

Extraction of Pd(II) ions using tri-n-octylamine xylene base supported liquid membranes

Membranes, based on tri-n-octylamine (TOA) xylene liquid, supported in hydrophobic microporous films have been used to study the transport of Pd(II) ions, after extraction into the membrane. Various parameters, such as the effect of hydrochloric acid concentration in the feed solution, TOA concentration in the membrane phase, effect of stripping agent like nitric acid concentration, and temperature on the flux of Pd(II) ions across the liquid membranes have been investigated. The optimum conditions of transport for these metal ions determined are, TOA concentration, 1.25 mol·dm^–3, HCl concentration in the feed solution, 5 mol·dm^–3, and concentration of nitric acid used as a stripping, agent 5 mol·dm^–3. The maximum values of the flux and permeability determined under the optimum condition are 23·10^–6 mol·m^–2·s^–1 and 2.40·10³ m²·s^–1 at 25°C. The results obtained have been used to elucidate the mechanism of palladium transport.     

Activity coefficient measurements of the system HCl−ZnCl2−H2O at 25 and 35°C

Electromotive force measurements were carried out on the HCl–ZnCl₂–H₂O system at constant total ionic strengths of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol-kg^–1 at 25 and 35°C using a cell consisting of Pt, H₂(g, 1 atm)|HCl(m_A), ZnCl₂(m_B)|AgCl/Ag. The data were interpreted by the mixed electrolyte equations of Pitzer and Kim in order to evaluate mixing ion-interaction parameters. The activity coefficients of ZnCl₂ and the Gibbs excess free energies of mixing are calculated and presented at I=2.0 mol-kg^–1 and compared with similar systems containing transition metal chlorides.     

Distribution studies of metal ions on arsenophosphates of Sn(IV) and Cr(III) and on amine Sn(II) hexacyanoferrates (II) using radio tracers: Separation of Sr2+−Cs+, Hg2+−Ag+ and Hg2+−Zn2+

Summary Distribution studies of some metal ions have been made on Sn(IV) and Cr(III) arsenophosphates and on some samples of Sn(II) amine hexacyanoferrates(II), using radiotracers. The K_d values of Cs⁺ and Rb⁺ have been followed at varying HNO₃ concentrations also. As a result 3 useful binary separations have been achieved on Sn(IV) and Cr(III) arsenophosphates, such as Sr²⁺–Cs⁺, Hg²⁺–Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺–Zn²⁺.     

Enhancement of phenols on ion-pair extraction of chromium(VI) with tetraphenylarsonium

The effect of phenols on the ion-pair extraction of chromium(VI) as chromate anion (HCrO ₄ ^– ) with tetraphenylarsonium cation (TPA⁺) has been investigated. By using TPACl, chromate is extracted as an ion-pair, TPA⁺·HCrO ₄ ^– , into organic solvents, but its extractability into nonpolar solvents such as carbon tetrachloride is very low. The addition of several phenols greatly enhances the extractability, e.g., the distribution ratio of chromium(VI) between carbon tetrachloride and water rises 5500-fold in the presence of 0.020M 3,5-dichlorophenol in the organic phase. The enhancement was larger when using more acidic phenols and less polar solvents. From the analysis of the extraction data for the 3,5-dichlorophenol-carbon tetrachloride system, it was shown that one molecule of chromate is extracted together with one TPA⁺ and 1–3 phenol molecules and the extraction constants were determined. The UV spectrum indicated the extracted species including chromate ester to the TPA⁺·ArOCrO ₃ ^– ·mArOH (m=1,2).     

Speciation of the products from acid reduction of51Cr(VI)

Chromium speciation implies the quantitative determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI). However, the presence of hydrolytic forms of Cr(III) and the instability of tracer level Cr(VI) in acid media complicates this speciation. The present work describes the stability of several monomeric Cr(III) species formed in the acid reduction of⁵¹Cr(VI). The distribution of Cr(VI) and Cr(X)_n(H₂O) _6–n ^(3–n)+ as a function of time was followed by paired cationic and anionic exchange analyses. The distributions and their time dependences are functions of the initial concentrations of both Cr(VI) and acid. The Cr(III) species eventually level to the hexaaquo form.     

Speciation of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) by electrothermal atomisation AAS after electrodeposition on a L'vov platform

Summary The pyrolysed graphite L'vov platform of a tube furnace is considered as an electrode for the electrodeposition and speciation of chromium by electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS). Firstly, a preliminary study of the Cr(VI)/Cr(III) voltammetric behavior at pH 4.70 on a glassy-carbon electrode is carried out. Secondly, the L'vov platform is used as a cathodic macro-electrode for the selective preconcentration of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) on a mercury film. Speciation of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) is carried out on the basis of the electrolysis potential (E_e): at pH 4.70 and E_e=–0.30 V, only Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) and accumulated as Cr(OH)₃ by adsorption on a mercury film; at E_e=–1.80 V both Cr(VI) and Cr(III) are accumulated forming an amalgam with added mercury(II) ions. Once the film has been formed, the platform is transferred to a graphite tube to atomise the element. The reliability of the method was tested for the speciation of chromium in natural waters and it proves to be highly sensitive thanks to the electroanalytical step. In all samples, the Cr(VI) concentration was less than the detection limit (0.15 ng ml^–1), and the concentration of Cr(III) agrees with those of total chromium. The analytical recovery of Cr(VI) added to water samples [3.50 ng ml^–1 of Cr(VI)] was 105±6.2%.     

Estimation of Cr(VI) in water,tannery and plating wastes

Summary Estimation of Cr(VI) in Water, Tannery and Plating Wastes A zirconium tellurite membrane exhibits good selectivity for CrO₄ ^2– or CrO₇ ^2– ions at pH 3–6 and 8–11. Membrane electrode can be used to determine the activity of Cr(VI) ions in the concentration range 10^–1 to 7×10^–5 M at specified pH. The response time is 30 s and a large number of anions and cations do not interfere with the functioning of this assembly. It has been tried for the estimation of Cr(VI) in plating and tannery waste.     

Studies on the macrocycle mediated transport of some metal cations through a bulk liquid membrane system using kryptofix 22

Competitive transport experiments involving Fe⁺³, Cr⁺³, Ni⁺², Co⁺², Ca⁺², Mg⁺² and K⁺ metal cations from an aqueous source phase through some organic membranes into an aqueous receiving phase have been carried out using 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 (kryptofix 22) as an ionophore present in the organic membrane phase. Fluxes and selectivities for competitive of the metal cations transport across bulk liquid membranes have been determined. A good selectivity was observed for K⁺ cation by kryptofix 22 in 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) membrane system. The sequence of selectivity for potassium ion in the organic solvents was found to be: 1,2-DCE > DCM (dichloromethane) >CHCl₃. The transport of K⁺ cation was also studied in the DCM-1,2-DCE, CHCl₃-1,2-DCE and CHCl₃-DCM binary mixed solvents as membrane phase. A non-linear relationship was observed between the transport rate of K⁺ ion and the composition of these binary mixed solvents. The amount of K⁺ transported follows the trend: DCM-DCE > CHCl₃-DCE > CHCl₃-DCM in the bulk liquid membrane studies. Then, the selective transport of K⁺ cation through a DCM-1,2-DCE bulk liquid membrane was studied by kryptofix 22 as an efficient carrier. The highest transport efficiency was obtained by investigating the influence of different parameters such as the concentration of kryptofix 22 in the membrane phase, pH of the source and the receiving phases and the equilibrium time of the transport process. Maximum transport value of 71.62 ± 1.61% was observed for K⁺ ion after 4 hours, when its concentration was 4 × 10^–3 M.     

Extraction-spectrophotometric determination of chromium with Nitrotetrazolium Blue

The interaction of Cr(VI) and Nitrotetrazolium Blue has been examined. A 12 NTB (CrO₃Cl)₂ ion-associate is formed and is extractable into 1,2-dichloroethane. The optimum conditions have been established. The molar absorptivity at 260 nm was (8.2 ± 0.06) × 10⁴L mol^–1cm^–1. Beer's law was obeyed in the range 0.01–0.4 g ml^–1 Cr(VI). A sensitive and selective method for determination of micro-quantities of Cr(VI) in soils and steels is suggested.     

Anomalies of the partition coefficient and properties of crystals in the region of low concentrations of an isomorphous admixture. 1. Unusual decomposition of solid solutions of the NaCl—CdCl2 system

Solid solutions NaCl—CdCl₂ were studied in an interval of CdCl₂ concentrations of 0.05—3 mol.% by Raman spectroscopy. The molecular form Na₂CdCl₄ decomposes: Na₂CdCl₄ 2Na⁺ + Cd²⁺ + 2Cl₂ ^– + 2e^–; 2Na + 2e^– 2Na⁰. Free sodium atoms form color centers of crystal (F centers) in the region of jumpwise changing the partition coefficient of CdCl₂ in NaCl (K jump).     

Liquid membrane-electrodes XIV

Summary FeCl ₄ ^– -selective liquid membrane-electrodes were prepared by using triphenylpyrilium, phenylbenzopyrilium and cetylpyridinium tetrachloroferrates and dichloroethane or tetrachloroethane as solvents. With regard to selectivity, sensitivity and concentration range the triphenylpyrilium electrode in dichloroethane proved to be most advantageous. Its response is practically Nernstian in the concentration range of 10^–1 to 10^–4 M FeCl ₄ ^– , ZnCl₂, CuCl₂, MnCl₂, NiCl₂, CdCl₂, AlCl₃, NO ₃ ^– and Br^– do not cause any interference.

---

Flüssigmembran-Elektroden XIVUntersuchung einer Tetrachloroferrat-selektiven Flüssigmembran-Elektrode

Zusammenfassung FeCl ₄ ^– -selektive Flüssigmembran-Elektroden wurden unter Verwendung von Triphenylpyrilium-, Phenylbenzo-pyrilium- und Cetylpyridinium-tetrachloroferraten in Dichloräthan oder Tetrachloräthan als Lösungsmittel hergestellt. In bezug auf Empfindlichkeit, Selektivität und Konzentrationsbereich erwies sich die Triphenyl-pyriliumelektrode in Dichloräthan als am vorteilhaftesten. Im Bereich von 10^–1 bis 10^–4 FeCl ₄ ^– verhält sich diese Elektrode praktisch gemäß dem Nernstschen Gesetz. ZnCl₂, CuCl(in2), MnCl₂, NiCl₂, CdCl₂, AlCl₃, NO ₃ ^– und Br^– stören nicht.

Part XIII: Chem. Anal. (Warsaw) 21, 867 (1976).