CARRIER-MEDIATED TRANSPORT OF LEAD AND CADMIUM IONS THROUGH PLASTICIZED POLYMERIC MEMBRANES PREPARED FROM HYBRID ORGANIC–INORGANIC MATERIALS

Abstract

In this work, the development of polymeric inclusion membranes for elimination of toxic ions is reported. The e ect of a local clay additive on the structure and performances of the membranes was studied. The membrane was made up of cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polysulfone (PSu), plasticized by dioctylphtalate (DOP) and modified by local clay and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) incorporated into the polymer as metal ions carrier. The transport of lead (II) and cadmium (II) ions through two kinds of polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) systems, with and without clay, was investigated. The membranes (polymers/plasticizer/carrier/clay) were synthesized using a new method and characterized by various techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and contact angle determination. A study of Pb(II) and Cd(II) retention using the synthesized membranes was realized. Dialysis experiments of lead and cadmium ions transfer across the polymer inclusion membranes have proved their good performance.