Removal of Copper (II), Zinc (II), Cobalt (II), and Nickel (II) Ions by PIMs Doped 2-Alkylimidazoles

Abstract

Polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) are an attractive approach to the separation of metals from an aqueous solution. This study is concerned with the use of 2-alkylimidazoles (alkyl = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl) as ion carriers in PIMs. It investigates the separation of copper (II), zinc (II), cobalt (II), and nickel (II) from aqueous solutions with the use of polymer inclusion membranes. PIMs are formed by casting a solution containing a carrier (extractant), a plasticizer (o-NPPE), and a base polymer such as cellulose triacetate (CTA) to form a thin, flexible, and stable film. The topics discussed include transport parameters, such as the type of carrier, initial fluxes, separation coefficients of copper in relation to other metals, as well as transport recovery of metal ions. The membrane was characterized using AFM and SEM to obtain information on its composition.

Separation of Mercury(II) from Industrial Wastewater through Polymer Inclusion Membranes with Calix[4]pyrrole Derivative

“…The role of selective ion carriers can be played by ionizable macrocyclic compounds, which have the ability to "recognize" ions and show specific complex-forming properties [ 9 ]. The features that characterize PIMs include considerable durability, chemical resistance, mechanical strength and operational stability, while the extractions of substances from the source phase, diffusion of the resulting complex through the membrane and re-extraction to the receiving phase are responsible for the transport of ions [ 14 , 15 ]. An essential property of PIMs is the ability of altering their composition, which can influence the efficiency and selectiveness of metal ions separation, taking into account the optimal process and environmental conditions [ 14 ].…”