In this study, permeation of copper ions through polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as carrier, cellulose triacetate (CTA) as polymer and di-octyl phthalate (DOP) as plasticizer has been investigated. The effects of Cu(II) in feed phase, H2SO4 in strip phase and D2EHPA (in membrane) concentrations on the transport were investigated. D2EHPA concentration varied from 0.6 x 10(-2) to 6 x 10(-2) mol/L and it was found that the transport of Cu(II) increased with the carrier concentration up to 4.8 x 10(-2) mol/L. High Cu(II) concentration in the feed phase leads to an increase in flux from 0.53 x 10(-6) to 4.48 x 10(-6) mol/(m(2) s) within the Cu (II) concentration range 0.79 x 10(-4) mol/L-31.47 x 10(-4) mol/L at pH of 4.5. Increase in H2SO4 concentration in strip solution leads to an increase in copper ions flux. Studies on the transport kinetics of Cu(II) ions and the stability of the membranes were also carried out. The developed methodology was applied for digested e-waste samples and found to be successful for the recovery of Cu(II). (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.