Selective transport of Ag+ and Cu2+ across plasticized membranes with calix[4]pyrrole[2]thiophene

Transport experiments across polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) are presented. The physical immobilization of calix[4]pyrrole[2]thiophene (CPY) as the ion carrier and o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (ONPOE) in cellulose triacetate (CTA) as the support was used to prepare polymer inclusion membranes. The competitive transport of Ag+ and Cu2+ ions from nitrate aqueous solutions through a PIM with CPY was investigated. The selectivity of competitive transport from the source phase decreases as follows: Ag+ > Cu2+. The flux values for Ag+ and Cu2+obtained after 24 h processes were found to be 0.30 ± 0.05 μmol/m2 s and 0.03 ± 0.05 μmol/m2 s, respectively. Separation of Ag+ over Cu2+ at low concentrations of the carrier in the membrane is better than at high concentration. The efficiency of Ag+ and Cu2+ was higher for Na2S2O3 than EDTA solution as receiving aqueous phases.

► Application of calix[4]pyrrole[2]thiophene (CPY) to separation of Ag+ over Cu2+. ► Preparation of polymer inclusion membranes with CPY. ► Optimization of transport parameters for efficiency removal of Ag+ over Cu2+. ► Achievement of high selective removal of Ag+ over Cu2+ ions from water. ► Fixed site mechanism of transport via CPY as carrier with metal ions.