Preparation of polymer inclusion membrane including mixture of D2EHPA and Cyanex272 for the extraction of Eu from nitrate media

A polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing mixture of D2EHPA and Cyanex272 as the extractant and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether (POE) as the plasticizer shows potential for the transport of Europium from nitrate media. The synergistic effect of these extractants intensified Eu transport through PIM. The effects of extractant and plasticizer concentration in the membrane, feed phase pH, stripping agent concentration, and membrane thickness were investigated. Up to 97.5% of Eu was extracted using a PIM consisting of 35.16 wt% (D2EHPA + Cyanex272), 18.52 wt% POE and 46.31 wt% PVC. An almost complete back-extraction of the Eu extracted from this membrane was achieved using 1M HNO3 as a stripping phase. The prepared PIM showed good stability for transport of Eu.