“…Tetrahydrofuran (THF) (Merck) (after its distillation), nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE), bis-(2-ethoxyl) sebacate (DOS), dodecyl phthalate (DDP) (Fluka), high molecular weight PVC (Fluka), N,N′-bisethoxycarbonyl -1,10-diaza-4,7,13,16-tetraoxacyclo-octadecane (diaza-18-crown-6) (DZCE) (synthesized using the procedures described previously), 16 and 37,40-bis[(diethoxy-thiophosphoryl)oxy]-5,11,17,23,29,35-hexakis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-calix [6]arene-8,39,41,42-tetrol (CAX) (synthesized by previously described procedures) 17 were used for the preparation of all the membranes. Sulfuric acid, nitric, hydrochloric, acetic, propionic, tartaric, and citric acids were purchased from Panreac, Spain.…”