A STUDY OF CHROMIUM (VI) IONS FIXATION AND TRANSPORT USING POLYMER INCLUSION MEMBRANE CONTAINING D2EHPA AS COMPLEXING AGENT

In this paper, polymeric inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) as polymer matrix and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as a specific carrier were prepared by solution casting followed by solvent evaporation. Different polymeric membranes were modified by the addition of polyelectrolytes: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyanetholsulfonic acid (PATSA) and polyethylene imine (PEI). 2-Nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) was added in the different membranes as plasticizer. All synthesized membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transfer of chromium through selective membranes is accomplished by using a specific compound, called carrier. A study of the fixation and transport of Cr (VI) across a polymer inclusion membrane PIMs has shown a good removal from the treated solution. The Cr (VI) removal efficiency reached 42% after 8 hours of transport using the membrane containing (CTA + PCL + PATSA + D2EHPA) and 43% for only 2 hours using the membrane containing (CTA + PCL + PATSA+ NPOE).