Extraction of phenol from aqueous solutions by means of supported liquid membrane (MLS) containing tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO)

► The paper deals with the liquid-liquid extraction and the facilitated transport through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) system of aqueous phenol using tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in an appropriate organic solvent. ► Phenol has been quantitatively extracted from aqueous acidic solutions using TOPO dissolved in kerosene as organic phase. ► The effect of TBP concentration dissolved in kerosene on the extraction efficiency reveals that TOPO combined with phenol in the ratio of 1:1. ► Using a flat-sheet SLM (FSSLM) system, more than 65% of the initial phenol content in the feed phase was extracted and stripped in a NaOH aqueous receiving phase.