Transportation and kinetic analysis of Zn(II) ions via MDLM system containing D2EHPA as carrier

In this study, a new method called as multi-dropped liquid membrane (MDLM) which is more practical and more effective than other liquid membrane techniques is applied for transport of Zn(II) has been studied. HCl as the stripping solution and D2EHPA dissolved in kerosene as the membrane solution, has been examined. The effects of stripping solution concentration, carrier concentration, temperature and pH in the feed phase on the transport of Zn(II) have also been investigated. As a result, the optimum transport conditions of Zn(II) were obtained, i.e., the concentration of HCl solution was 0.25 M, the concentration of D2EHPA was 8x10-3 M, and pH value in the donor phase was 5.00. Under the optimum conditions, the transport percentage of Zn(II) was up to >99% during the transport time of 80 min when the initial concentration of Zn(II) was 120 mgL-1. The activation energy is calculated as 5.30 kcalmol-1. The value of calculated activation energy indicates that the process is diffusionally controlled by Zn(II) ions. The experiments have demonstrated that D2EHPA derivative is a good carrier for Zn(II) transport through MDLM in the study.