Coupled transport membranes III: the rate-limiting step in uranium transport with a tertiary amine

Abstract This is the second paper describing the coupled transport of uranium ions through liquid membranes. The membranes consist of a microporous polymeric support with an organic solution of a tertiary amine complexing agent held within the pores by capillary forces. p]Both the composition of the organic solution and the structure of the microporous support have a marked effect on uranium flux. With increasing concentration of the agent in an inert diluent, both the amount of uranium that can be extracted into the membrane and the viscosity of the organic solution increase. These opposing effects result in a maximum flux at about 30 vol.% agent in the diluent. The size of the pores in the support also affects the flux; it appears that interaction with the pore walls in membranes with small pores hinders diffusion. p]Two types of interfacial effects have also been observed. The first of these is concentration polarization in the aqueous solution adjacent to the membrane surface. This effect can be reduced by increased stirring. Second, the transmembrane flux of uranium can be limited by the rate of formation (or dissociation) of the uranium complex at the membrane—solution interfaces.