Extraction and membrane transport of lanthanides with dynameric constitutional framework carriers

• Published in: Journal of membrane science 2016-07, Vol.510, p.50-57
• Main Authors: Abdelrahim, M. Yahia M., Osman, H.H., Cerneaux, Sophie, Masquelez, Nathalie, Barboiu, Mihail
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Dialysis; Dynamers; Dynamical systems; Dynamics; Extraction; Lanthanide transport; Lanthanides; Membranes; Monomers; Other; Recognition; Supramolecular membranes; Transport
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2016.02.055

Dynamic covalent polymers or dynamers, generated from reversibly interacting monomers, offer the possibility to generate molecular-controlled materials with addressable domains which are different from these of former monomers and based on structural relationships between the network components. Herein, constitutional dynamic frameworks of Jeffamine-type macromonomers cross-linked via trifunctional core centers have been used as a dynameric-electrolyte network in liquid and solid membrane systems for lanthanide recognition, extraction and transport. The transport is based on the partition ability of lanthanides (La+3, Lu+3, and Eu+3) within functional dynameric network bearing polyether and imine groups. Interestingly, the lanthanides are extracted and selectively transported through the membrane, only in the presence of constitutional cross-linked frameworks, while the former Jeffamine monomers have been shown high extraction yields, but any selectivity. This would be explained by the formation of molecularly addressable recognition “pockets” in which the recognition/diffusional selective percolation pathways might exist. It implies that such dynameric frameworks have high selectivity towards La+3, Lu+3 relative to Eu+3 that may be separated. [Display omitted] •The novelty of these findings with the respect of previous molecular receptors/carriers is that "framework carriers" are cooperatively operating to collectively define the transport performances.•This is reminiscent with the collective organization of binding sites in channel-type proteins collectively contributing to the selective translocation of solutes.•In this manuscript, we describe constitutional dynamic frameworks which have been used as a framework carriers in liquid and solid membrane systems for lanthanide recognition, extraction and transport.