Coupled Transport of Zr(IV) through Tri-n-butylphosphate-Xylene-Based Supported Liquid Membranes

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Abstract
The transport of Zr(IV) through tri-n-butylphosphate-xylene-based liquid membranes, supported in a polypropylene hydrophobic microporous film, has been studied. The concentration of HNO3 in the feed solution and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) carrier in the membrane were varied, and the flux and permeability coefficients were determined. The optimum conditions found for maximum flux were determined to be 10 mol/dm3 HNO3 and 2.93 mol/dm3 TBP with a flux value of 12.9 × 10−6 mol · m−2 · s−1. The solvent extraction study revealed that 1.25 to 3.5 protons are involved in zirconium transport, and that two molecules of TBP are involved in the complex formation. The value of protons involved varies with acid concentration. The zirconium ion transport is coupled with nitrate ions transport.