Pertraction of cations in a hybrid membrane system containing soluble polymeric ionophores

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2002-04, Vol.84 (1), p.99-109
• Main Authors: Wódzki, Romuald, Świątkowski, Marek, Kałużyński, Krzysztof, Pretula, Julia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ion exchangers; liquid; macroionophores; membranes; pertraction; polyelectrolytes; polymer; separation
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.10263

A hybrid membrane system composed of two insoluble cation‐exchange membranes (Nafion) and a liquid membrane in between was studied. A series of organic and aqueous liquid membranes containing soluble polymers as macromolecular ionophores (macroionophores) was prepared and tested. The pertraction (membrane‐transport) characteristics of poly(ethylene glycol) and its ionizable derivatives, including as poly[poly(oxyethylene) phosphate] (PPOEP) and di‐[ω‐methoxy poly(oxyethylene)] phosphate, were measured and are discussed as dependent on the composition and molecular mass of a macroionophore. The liquid membrane composed of PPOEPs dissolved in dichloroethane combined the cation‐exchange properties with neutral coordination functionalities introduced by the poly(oxyethylene) backbone of this ionophore. The overall fluxes, facilitation factors, and the membrane system selectivity were measured in the carrier‐mediated pertraction of transient metal cations (Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+). PPOEP could facilitate the pertraction of Zn2+ and Cu2+ over Ni2+ and Co2+. In the case of an aquatic hybrid membrane system, high but nonselective ionic fluxes were observed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 99–109, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10263