Uphill transport of uranium across a liquid membrane

A liquid membrane was prepared by entrapping tributyl phosphate (TBP) in a cellulose triacetate (TAC) membrane matrix. The membrane was used to separate two aqueous solutions, one acidic and the other alkaline, which were saturated with TBP to prevent its loss from the membrane. Uphill transport of uranium was achieved with the TBP liquid membrane. Both solutions containing TBP were stirred magnetically. When the initial concentration of uranium in the two solutions was 3.5 mM, more than 50% of the uranium contained in the acidic solution was transported to the alkaline solution across the liquid membrane within 5 h. A transport mechanism is described in which the membrane-bound TBP acts as a mobile carrier for uranium.