Premium
Ammonium across a Selective Polymer Inclusion Membrane: Characterization, Transport, and Selectivity
Author(s) -
Casadellà Anna,
Schaetzle Olivier,
Loos Katja
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201600032
Subject(s) - ionophore , selectivity , membrane , plasticizer , ammonium , chemistry , polymer , thermogravimetric analysis , polymer chemistry , nuclear chemistry , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , catalysis
The recovery of ammonium from urine requires distinguishing and excluding sodium and potassium. A polymer inclusion membrane selective for ammonium is developed using an ionophore based on pyrazole substituted benzene. The interactions of the components are studied, as well as their effect on transport and selectivity. Spectroscopic and thermogravimetric measurements show no extensive physical interactions of the components, and that the plasticizer reduces the intermolecular forces (rigidity) of the membrane. The ionophore turns the membrane more rigid, although it increases its swelling degree and therefore the affinity of cations. A ratio of plasticizer (DEHP) and polymer (PVC) of 1:3 in mass gives the highest ammonium flux. Tested contents of ionophore (2 and 5 wt%) show that the higher the content of the ionophore, the fastest the flux is (7.5 × 10 −3 mmol cm −2 h −1 ). Selectivity of NH 4 + over Na + and over K + is reduced from 13.07 to 9.33 and from 14.15 to 9.57 correspondingly.