The Removal of Zn(II) Through Calix[4]Recorcinarene Derivative Based Polymer Inclusion Membrane From Aqueous Solution

In the present work, the transport of Zn(II) metal ion from an aqueous nitrate solution of different metal ions through a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing calix[4]resorcinarene derivative used as a carrier were investigated. Zn(II)metal ion showing high permeability were transported through PIMs prepared from cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a polymeric support material and 2-NPOE as a plasticizer. Total Zn(II) concentration was determined with an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) in the acceptor phase. The prepared PIM and supported liquid membrane (SLM) were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) techniques. The effects of membrane composition, effects of type of plasticizer in the membrane, effects of carrier concentration, and the thickness of the membranes were examined in the facilitated transport experiments of Zn(II) ion through PIM. We compared the performance of SLM experiments under the optimum conditions identified by the PIM studies. Higher permeability coefficient values for Zn(II) was found for SLM, while lower values were ascertained for PIM. The kinetic parameters which have been calculated as the constant rate (k), permeability coefficient (P), flux (J) and diffusion coefficient (D).     

Selective transport of cesium ion in polymeric CTA membrane containing calixcrown ethers

A series of calixcrown ethers for which the cavity size of the crown ring is varied from crown-6 to crown-7 to crown-8 were examined for the transport abilities toward alkali metal ions. These ligands were incorporated into supported liquid membranes (SLMs) and into polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) composed of cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a support and 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) as a plasticizer. In both membrane systems, calixcrown-6 showed the best selectivity toward a cesium ion over other alkali metal ions. The polymeric CTA membrane showed more rapid transport rate as well as higher durability than did the SLMs.     

Transport of iron ions from chloride solutions using cellulose triacetate matrix inclusion membranes with an ionic liquid carrier

In this study, liquid membranes denoted as polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) consisting of cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a polymer matrix, o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) as a plasticiser and phosphonium ionic liquids, trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride (Cyphos® IL 101) and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinate (Cyphos® IL 104), as carriers of metal ions were developed. The transport of Fe(II) and Fe(III) from chloride aqueous solutions across PIMs was investigated. It is shown that these phosphonium ionic liquids are effective carriers of Fe(III) ions through PIMs. While, for Fe(II), the highest value of extraction efficiency and recovery factor after 72 h does not exceed 40%, by contrast, the values of these parameters for Fe(III) transport ranged from 60% to almost 100%. Additionally, the results indicate the transport rate to be strongly influenced by the amount of carrier in the membrane. The highest initial flux of Fe(III) and permeability coefficient are noted for the membrane containing 40 mass % Cyphos® IL 101. However, it is shown that the transport of Fe(III) increases as the carrier content is increased then decreases at a content of the carrier equal to 40 mass %. It appears that the Fe(III)-carrier complex decomposes with difficulty at the interface of the membrane-receiving phase, hence leading to low values of recovery factor Fe(III).     

Quantitative analysis of transport process of cerium(III) ion through polymer inclusion membrane containing N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentanediamide (TODGA) as carrier

The facilitated transport mechanism of cerium(III) ions through polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) consisting of cellulose triacetate (CTA) as a polymer matrix, 2-nitrophenyl n-octyl ether (NPOE) as a solvent and N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentanediamide (TODGA) as a carrier was studied. In order to evaluate the mass transport phenomena in the PIM, a mathematical model was derived from the Fick's first law and the equations for the extraction and the material balance. Methods to determine the values of the transport parameters such as the diffusion coefficient are described, and the dependency of the flux on the experimental condition was calculated. The model is very useful as a design tool to analyze and optimize the concentration process of low level radioactive wastewater using the PIM.     

Separation and Removal of Metal Ionic Species by Polymer Inclusion Membranes

Competitive alkali metal cation transport across polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing sym-(alkyl)dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acid carriers provides excellent selectivity for Na⁺ transport with the total fluxes being strongly influenced by the length of the alkyl chain that is attached geminal to the functional side arm in the lariat ether. Removal of chromium(VI) anions by PIMs from acidic aqueous phases was also investigated. Using tri-n-octylamine (TOA) as the ion carrier, Cr(VI) was removed by a PIM to decrease the source phase metal concentration from 1.0 to 0.010 ppm after 30 hours of transport. Competitive transport of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions from acidic source phases through PIMs and supported liquid membranes (SLMs) containing TOA and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as carriers was evaluated and a very high Cr(VI)/Cr(III) separation ratio of 4800 was achieved with a PIM containing TOA. Competitive transport of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) from acidic aqueous solutions through PIMs containing TOA was investigated. The selectivity order for metal ion transport was: HCrO₄ ^–>CdCl₄ ^2–+CdCl₃ ^–>ZnCl₄ ^2–+ ZnCl₃ ^–. Non-contact atomic force microscopy was used to obtain images of the pores in cellulose triacetate membranes containing a plasticizer.     

Elaboration and characterisation of a plasticized cellulose triacetate membrane containing trioctylphosphine oxyde (TOPO): Application to the transport of uranium and molybdenum ions

A cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane containing trioctylphosphine oxyde (TOPO) as carrier and 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as a plasticizer was prepared. The membrane CTA + NPOE + TOPO was characterised using chemical techniques as well as Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The CTA membrane is characterised by well-defined pores; these pores are completely filled with the NPOE and carrier. Surfaces of membranes with TOPO are smooth. The systems constituted by the mixture of CTA + NPOE, CTA + NPOE + TOPO do not give any diffraction. This can be due to the absence of crystallization within the membrane. On the other hand, this result should be attributable to the amorphous state of the structure, which permits us to eliminate the mechanism of transfer of the ions by electron jump. A comparative study of transport across a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) and a supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing the same carrier in chloroform has shown that uranium or molybdenum transport efficiency was increased using PIM instead of SLM. PIM showed higher stability than SLM, the flux of transport remain constant in the former case after 2 weeks.     

Structural effects on metal ion migration across polymer inclusion membranes: Dependence of transport profiles on nature of active plasticizer

Structural modifications promoted by the nature of the plasticizer that affect metal ion migration in polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) were evaluated using transport data, transmission infrared mapping microspectroscopy (TIMM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). An analysis of the effects of different plasticizers on indium(III) transport across cellulose triacetate membranes with bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (CYANEX 272) as carrier revealed differences in transport profiles that can be explained on the basis of the nature of plasticizer used. While a transport profile of the type carrier-diffusion was observed for tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP), a transport profile of the type chained-carrier with reduced mobility was suggested by the presence of a percolation threshold for PIMs with tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBEP), 2-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE) and without plasticizer under the experimental conditions used in this work. Accordingly, diffusional equations and percolation theory were used to model permeation and to gain insight into the transport processes occurring in these systems. A correlation between the structural conformation of the PIMs and the transport profiles was successfully achieved using the aforementioned characterization techniques and theoretical frames. Values of the percolation parameters were rationalized considering the distribution of the membrane components observed by TIMM and PIM resistances evaluated by EIS. Membrane behavior for metal extraction was characterized by the determination of the equilibrium constants via solid–liquid extraction experiments. EIS measurements allowed correlating the equilibrium constants with membrane resistances as well.     

Novel proton-conducting polymer inclusion membranes

The preparation and characterization of new polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) for proton transport is described. PIMs were prepared with different polymeric cellulose-based compounds and PVC as supports, tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBEP) and 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) as plasticizers and dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic acid (DNSA) and dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid (DNDSA) as carriers. The effects of the nature and content of the supports, plasticizers and carriers on membrane proton conductivity was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). This technique was also used to evaluate the chemical stability of a CTA–NPOE–DNDSA membrane while its selectivity was monitored with respect to sodium and calcium ions through counter-transport experiments. DSC and TGA techniques were used to determine the thermal stability of these membranes. A PIM based on CTA–DNDSA–NPOE showed the highest proton conductivity (3.5 mS/cm) with no variation of its behavior during 2 months of evaluation. FTIR characterization did not show structural changes of the membrane in this period of time. Thermal analysis indicates that it is stable up to 180 °C. An empirical functional relationship between PIM resistance and composition indicates that increasing plasticizer and carrier concentrations enhances the conductivity of the membranes, while increasing CTA content tends to decrease this property. Transport experiments showed a good selectivity of the CTA–DNDSA–NPOE membrane for protons over calcium or sodium ions.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

Selective Transport of Cesium and Strontium Ions Through Polymer Inclusion Membranes Containing Calixarenes as Carriers

Abstract

Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ are selectively removed over Na⁺ from acidic aqueous solutions with high Na⁺ concentrations by using membranes designed to selectively transport one of the two cations. To this end, calix[4]arene derivatives were used as carriers in polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs). The synthesis and characterization of new calix[4]arene derivatives (a bisamide (2) and three bisesters (3, 5 and 6)) used for the separation of Sr²⁺ are described. Another bisester (4) was employed for the same separation. In addition, a calix[4]arene-crown-6 (7) was incorporated into the membrane for Cs⁺ extraction. The concentration of each membrane component (polymer, carrier and counter-ion) was optimized and the permeability coefficients (P, m sec^?1) of Cs⁺, Sr²⁺ and Na⁺ were determined. A synergistic effect between the calixarenes and dinonylnaphtalenesulfonic acid, used as counterion, (DNNS, 8) was observed. High selectivity of Cs⁺ over Na⁺ and of Sr²⁺ over Na⁺ were obtained with compounds 7 and 3, respectively. The best P for Sr²⁺ was obtained with compound 4. A long-term experiment was carried out to demonstrate the durability of PIMs. PIMs are compared to classical supported liquid membranes.     

Modified cyclodextrin polymers as selective ion carriers for Pb(II) separation across plasticized membranes

In the present work the hydrophobic β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers have been used as macrocyclic ion carriers for separation of Pb(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II) ions from dilute aqueous solutions by transport across polymer inclusion membranes. The β-CD polymers were prepared by cross-linking of β-CD with 2-(1-docosenyl)-succinic anhydride derivatives in anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of NaH. The metal ions were transported from aqueous solutions containing heavy metal ions through plasticizer triacetate membranes with dimer and polymer β-CD derivatives into distilled water. The selectivity of lead(II) over other metal ions in the transport through polymer inclusion membrane was very high, especially for dimer cyclodextrin carrier. In the case of competitive transport of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions through plasticized immobilized membranes the selectivity of process is controlled via formation of ion pairs of β-CD hydroxyl groups with metal cations. The polymer and dimer of β-CD linked by 2-(1-docosenyl)-derivative used as ionic carriers for competitive transport of metal ions show preferential selectivity order: Pb(II)  Cu(II) > Zn(II). Application of ion carriers mixtures (β-CD polymers and palmitic acid) causes the increase of Pb(II) maximal removal from dilute aqueous solution. The weight-average molecular weight (M_W) and the chemical structure of the β-CD polymers were determined using high-performance size exclusion chromatography with refractive index detector, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Selective Transport of Lead(II) and Strontium(II) Through a Crown Ether-Based Polymer Inclusion Membrane Containing Dialkylnaphthalenesulfonic Acid

New polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing 18-membered crownethers and dialkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid are proposed for Sr2+ and Pb2+removal from nitric acid solutions. The influence of source phasecomposition and stripping agents was characterized and permeabilitycoefficients were calculated. The PIMs are easy to prepare and may be usefulin separation and concentration procedures for these cations from complexmixtures such as nuclear waste. Long-term stability was obtained for atleast several weeks of constant use during which no significant change ofpermeability was observed.     

The use of a polymer inclusion membrane in a paper-based sensor for the selective determination of Cu(II)

A disposable paper-based sensor (PBS) is described for the determination of Cu(II) in natural and waste waters at approximately 2 cents per measurement. The device makes use of a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) to provide the selectivity for Cu(II). The PIM consists of 40 wt% di(2-ethlyhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as the carrier, 10 wt% dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as a plasticizer, 49.5 wt% poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the base polymer and 0.5 wt% (m m⁻¹) 1-(2′-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) as the colourimetric reagent. High selectivity under mildly acidic conditions (HCl, pH 2.0) is achieved for Cu(II) in the presence of frequently encountered metal ions in natural and waste waters such as Fe(III), Al(III), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), and Ni(II).     

Hybrid liquid membrane (HLM) system in separation technologies

A novel liquid membrane system, denoted hybrid liquid membrane (HLM), was developed for the separation of solutes (metal ions, acids, etc.). It utilizes a solution of an extracting reagent (carrier solution), flowing between membranes. The membranes, which separate the carrier solution from feed and receiving (strip) solutions, enable the transport of solutes, but block the transfer of the carrier to the feed or to the strip. Blocking the carrier is achieved through membranes hydrophilic/hydrophobic or ion exchange properties, or through their rentention abilities, due to pore size.     

Selective metal ion transport through polymer inclusion membrane containing surfactin as carrier reagents

Metal ion selective polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) was prepared by using cellulose triacetate as matrix, surfactin (SF) as ion carrier, and 2-nitrophenyl n-octyl ether as plasticizer. The structure and morphology of the prepared PIM were characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of plasticizer and the amount of SF to ionic membrane flux were investigated, and the optimized component was obtained thereof. The selectivity of the membrane toward metal cation was studied and the order of Ni(II) > Ca(II) > Co(II) > Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Mg(II) was followed. In addition, the durability of the PIM was studied by successive reuse of the membrane, and the ionic flux slightly decreased after five cycles of reuse, indicating the excellent durability of the PIM.     

In‐Transit Electroextraction of Small‐Molecule Pharmaceuticals from Blood

An electrokinetic platform was developed for extracting small‐molecule pharmaceuticals from a dried blood spot. Through the exclusion of liquid reagents and use of low field strength (6 V cm^?1), the electroextraction of a drug from a dried blood spot, deposited on a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM), could be realised while in transit in the mail. In transit sample preparation provides a potential solution to in situ sample degradation and may accelerate the workflow upon arrival of a patient sample at the analytical facility. The electroextraction method was enabled through our discovery of the use of 15–20 μm thin PIMs as electrophoretic separation medium in absence of liquid reagents. Here, a PIM consisting of cellulose triacetate as polymer base, 2‐nitrophenyl octyl ether as plasticizer and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as carrier was used. The PIM, was packaged with two 12 V batteries to supply the separation voltage. A blood spot containing berberine chloride was deposited and dried before the applying the separation potential, allowing for the electroextraction while the packaged device was shipped in internal mail. Upon arrival in the analytical laboratory, the PIM was analysed using a fluorescence microscope with photon multiplier tube, quantifying the berberine extracted away from the sample matrix. This platform represents a new opportunity for processing clinical samples during transport to the laboratory, saving time and manual handling to accelerate the time to result.     

Preparation of CTA-based polymer inclusion membrane using calix[4]arene derivative as a carrier for Cr(VI) transport

In this work, the transport of Cr(VI) ions from an aqueous donor phase solution to an acceptor phase that contained an acetic acid/ammonium acetate buffer at pH 5 through a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene amine derivative as carrier was studied. The Cr(VI) passed through a PIM comprised of cellulose triacetate as a support and 2-NPOE as a plasticizer. The transport efficiency of Cr(VI) was studied under various experimental conditions, such as effect of carrier concentration, acceptor phase pH, type of plasticizer in the membrane, stirring rate and membrane thickness. The kinetic parameters were calculated as rate constant (k), permeability coefficient (P), and flux (J). The transport efficiency of Cr(VI) was observed to be 95.07 % after 10 h under optimized conditions. The prepared PIM was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the atomic force microscopy techniques as well as with contact angle measurements. This is an effective method for the removal of Cr(VI) which is toxic for human body and environment from the waste water.     

Coupled transport of Ag(I) ions through triethanolamine–cyclohexanone-based supported liquid membranes

Facilitated transport of silver(I) ions in acidic medium, across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) by using triethanolamine (TEA) as carrier, dissolved in cyclohexanone, has been investigated. The parameters studied are HNO₃ concentration variation in the feed, pH of the feed solution, carrier concentration in the membrane phase, silver(I) ions concentration in the feed phase and KCN concentration in the stripping phase. Increase in H⁺ concentration by increasing HNO₃ concentration from 0.5 to 1 M results into an increase in silver ions flux but a decrease in flux has been found beyond 1 M HNO₃ concentration in the feed, providing a maximum flux of 3.21 × 10⁻⁷ mol/m² s at 1 M HNO₃. Increase in TEA concentration inside the membrane enhances flux with its maximum value at 2.25 M TEA. Further increase in the concentration of TEA leads to a decreased rate of transport due to the increase in viscosity of membrane liquid. The optimum conditions for Ag(I) ions transport are 1 M HNO₃ (feed), 2.25 M TEA (membrane) and 1.5 M KCN in the stripping phase. It has been observed that Ag(I) flux across the membrane tends to increase with increase in Ag(I) ions concentration in the feed phase. Applying the studied conditions to silver plating waste solutions, Ag ions have been removed up to 99% in a time interval of 5 h.