Transport of metals through a liquid membrane containing calix[4]arene derivatives as carrier

Abstract

Co-transport of metals (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Na⁺) from an aqueous solution into an aqueous-receiving solution through a bulk liquid membrane containing calix[4]arene nitrile derivatives as carriers was investigated. Kinetic parameters were analyzed with consecutive irreversible first-order reactions and the effect of solvents such as CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, and CCl₄ was also examined. The transport rates show that both nitrile derivatives are efficient and selective for Hg(II) ions with respect to Na⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions and the dinitrile derivative is found to be a better carrier than the tetranitrile one. The membrane entrance- and exit rate-constants depend on the solvent type and are found to be in the order CH₂Cl₂>CHCl₃>CCl₄. A remarkable difference was also observed of the same order for fluxes.

Acknowledgments