Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.125, No.2, 257-268, 1997
Studies on Ion-Transport of Some Rare-Earth Elements Through Solvating Extractants Immobilized on Supported Liquid Membrane
The studies on ion transport of terbium and dysprosium through a porous supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing TOPO (trioctyl phosphine oxide) and TBP (tributyl phosphate) as immobilised carriers have been carried out. The effect of stirring of bulk solutions on permeability coefficient has been investigated. The permeability coefficient increases with increase in pH of source phase from 0-6, and hydrogen ion concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 M of receiving solution. The dependency of permeability coefficient on the carrier concentration has been explored. The effect of ammonium thiocyanate concentration on permeability coefficient has been studied. In order to develop a method for enrichment of rare earth elements, further investigations were carried out by using a hollow fibre membrane extractor. The mechanism of ion transport of terbium and dysprosium in SLM systems has been explained.