Membranes based on polymer miscibility for selective transport and separation of metallic ions.

Polymer inclusion membranes (PIM) used for selective transport and separation of metallic ions have emerged in recent times. Their expansion depends on the method of preparation and their suitable structure and physico-chemical characteristics. In this paper, a novel category of membranes for ions separation is reported. The membranes were synthesized by thermally induced phase separation using a mixture of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) plasticized by tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) and with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) incorporated into the polymer as carrier to increase specific interactions between polymers. PIM membrane exhibited a hydrophobic (∼100°) and thermally stable up to ∼200°C porous homogenous structure. The transport of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions was studied by competitive transport across polymer inclusion membranes (PIM). Competitive transport of ions in solution across PIM provide the selectivity order: Ni2+ (45%)>Pb2+ (35%)>Zn2+ (5%). A long-term transport experiment was carried out to study the durability of the system.

Synthesis of modified polymer inclusion membranes for photo-electrodeposition of cadmium using polarized electrodes.

In this work, we have developed a novel class of polymeric inclusion membranes (PIMs) for the cations separation. The membrane is made up of cellulose triacetate modified by poly-electrolytes (poly-phosphoric acid, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol and poly-anetholsulfonic acid) using 2-hydroxy-5-dodecylbenzaldehyde incorporated into the polymer as carrier and tris ethyl hexyl phosphate or glycerine as plasticizers. Different PIMs are synthesized and characterized by the Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of the membrane nature is studied using supports with different physical characteristics (porosity, thickness, hydrophobia). As application, the transport of Cd(2+) using PIMs coupled with photo-electrodes is investigated. The photo-catalytic results indicate that the combined system p-CuFeO(2)/membrane/n-WO(3) enhances considerably the electrons transfer toward the delafossite CuFeO(2). The position of the conduction band of CuFeO(2) is looked to be the key issue for the photo electrochemical Cd(2+) reduction.

Cadmium (II) and lead (II) transport in a polymer inclusion membrane using tributyl phosphate as mobile carrier and CuFeO(2) as a polarized photo electrode.

In this work, a development of polymeric inclusion membranes for the cations separation is reported. The membrane was made up of cellulose triacetate (CTA) with a tributyl phosphate (TBP) incorporated into the polymer as metal ions carrier. The transport of lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions in two membrane systems polymer inclusion membrane (PIM), PIM coupled with photo-chemical electrode using TBP as carrier and 2-nitro phenyl octyl ether (NPOE) or tris ethylhexyl phosphate (TEHP) as plasticizer have been investigated. The membranes: polymer+plasticizer+carrier were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transports of lead and cadmium have been studied using these systems and the results were compared to commercial cation exchange membrane (CRA). The obtained results showed that for Pb(2+) ion, the concentrations of the strip phase increases using synthesized membranes. The conduction band of the delafossite CuFeO(2) (-1.25 V(SCE)) yields a thermodynamically M(2+) (=Pb(2+), Cd(2+)) photo electrodeposition and speeds up the diffusion process. In all the cases, the potential of the electrode M/M(2+) in the feed compartment increases until a maximum value, reached at approximately 100 min above which it undergoes a diminution.

An assembled poly-4-vinyl pyridine and cellulose triacetate membrane and Bi2S3 electrode for photoelectrochemical diffusion of metallic ions.

The transport phenomena across ion exchange membrane may be enhanced by applying various strengths inside or outside the system. The electrical current, generated by n-type semiconductor, is used to catalyse the separation of metal ions. The cation exchange membrane located between the two compartments allows both the separation and concentration of M(n+) (Ag(+), Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Ni(2+)). The flows of M(n+) from the aqueous solution to-and inside the membrane are monitored by the determination of the fluxes and the potentials. In this study, the four cations are investigated alone or in quaternary systems. From photoelectrochemical measurement, the gap of Bi(2)S(3) is found to be indirect at 1.65 eV. The shape of photocurrent potential curve and the negative flat band potential (-1.02 V(SCE)) give evidence of n-type character. The conduction band (-1.25 V(SCE)) yields thermodynamically M(2+) photoreduction and catalyzes the diffusion process. The photoelectrode Bi(2)S(3) makes the flux twofold greater than that observed in the dark. In all cases, the potential of the electrode M(2+)/M in the feed compartment increases until a maximal value, reached at approximately 100 min above which it undergoes a diminution. The membrane is more selective to Cu(2+) and this selectivity decreases in the quaternary system.

Modification of the cation exchange resin properties by impregnation in polyethyleneimine solutions: application to the separation of metallic ions.

A commercial cation exchange resin Amberlite 200 has been modified after immersion in solutions of polyethyleneimine (PEI). The kinetic of fixation of the metallic ions have been determined. The modification of the surface of the resin deals with a change in the order of the affinities of the resins towards cations. The retention is the function of the formation and the stability of the complex. The conditions of modification (pH, PEI concentration and time of immersion) have been examined and the modification was confirmed by the determination of the exchange capacities, the distribution coefficient (P) and the selectivity factors (S). The obtained results revealed the effect of PEI on the exchange properties of the resin. The pH range selected (6-8) permitted a good adherence of PEI onto the resin surface. The quantity of the adsorbed PEI was increased by raising the initial concentration and the immersion period. The exchange capacity for copper ion passed from 2.6 mmol g(-1), in the case of unmodified resin, to 3.9 mmol g(-1) for the modified one.