Extraction of phenols using polyurethane membrane

The extraction of various phenols from aqueous and organic solutions using polyurethane membrane has been investigated. The effects of solution concentration, extraction time, surface area, pH, salts, and temperature on extraction were studied. The phenols are extracted as neutral species and the extraction is governed by a combined effect of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding and nonspecific hydrophobic interactions. The ether-type membrane showed higher extraction capability for the phenols than the ester-type polyurethane membrane.