A comparative evaluation of the liquid-liquid extraction and pertraction efficiency of a both-side diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arene with analogous upper and lower-rim calixarenes for actinide separations

Supported liquid membrane (SLM) studies were carried out using the diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arenes under varying feed acidities and carrier extractant concentrations and the results compared with that of TODGA under identical conditions. A 0.01 M EDTA solution (pH 3.0) was found to yield quantitative transport of Am(III) using the extractants L-I-L-III. The transport efficiency of the carrier solvent system was Eu3+>Pu4+>Am3+⪢UO22+. Diffusion coefficient values were both calculated by the Wilke-Chang equation and determined by the lag-time method. The SLM showed a poor stability, which did not improve by strip dispersion efforts.