The Effect of Porous Support Composition and Operating Parameters on the Performance of Supported Liquid Membranes

Abstract

Factors, such as porous support composition and operating parameters, that influence the performance of supported liquid membranes (SLMs) were investigated. SLMs of varying porous support compositions and structures were studied for the transport of metal ions. A microporous polybenzimidazole support was synthesized and prepared in the form of an SLM. This SLM, containing the selective extractant di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid, was evaluated for the transport of copper and neodymium. Dramatically improved performance over that of commercially available membranes was found in tests for removing the metal ions from solution. Metal ion transport reaches near completion in less than 3 h, whereas Celgard-polypropylene and Nuclepore-polycarbonate reaches only 50% completion even after 15 h. The transport driving force for acidic extractants is a pH gradient between the feed and strip solutions. Polybenzimidazole, an acid- and radiation-resistant polymer, has two protonatable tertiary nitrogens per repeat unit that may help sustain the pH driving force. Another factor may be the ability of the polybenzimidazole to hydrogen bond with the extractant. Transport through the flat-sheet SLMs was tested by using a unique cell design. Countercurrent flow of the feed and strip solutions was established through machined channels in half-cell faceplates that are in a spiral, mirror-image pattern with respect to each other, with the flat-sheet SLM interposed between the two channeled solutions. Advantages comprised in the design of the two clamped half-cells (tangential entry, zero primary pressure, zero pressure differential, controlled flow regimes, no sharp turns, and channeled flow) give operating parameters that will not physically dislodge the liquid membrane from the porous support; consequently, the lifetime of the support is increased. Permeability coefficients remained unchanged after a month of daily use versus 20 to 100% declines for membranes in other cell configurations.