The Influence of the Interior Structure of Aliquat 336/PVC Membranes to their Extraction Behavior

Abstract

Abstract In this study, new results of the cross‐sectional structures of Aliquat 336/PVC‐based composite membranes were obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The SEM images show that micro channels exist when the Aliquat 336 content reaches a certain level. Our data suggests that this level is between 30–40% (m/m) Aliquat 336/PVC. The extraction of Cd(II) using these membranes clearly shows that the micro channels in the membrane facilitated the transportation of the free Aliquat 336 molecules and the Aliquat 336‐CdCl3 ion pairs within the membrane and as such enhances the extraction rate. Results of this study provide valuable information for future work in modeling of the extraction mechanism.