A comparison of the use of commercial and diluent free LIX84I in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)-based polymer inclusion membranes for the extraction and transport of Cu(II)

Abstract

The active component of the commercial extractant LIX84I, i.e. 2-hydroxy-5-nonylacetophenone (HNAPO), is usually below 50 wt%. The separation performance of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) generally increases with increasing the concentration of their liquid phase, consisting of the extractant (e.g., LIX84I) and a possible plasticizer or modifier. However, the use of high concentrations of the membrane liquid phase leads to worsening of the PIM mechanical stability. Therefore, the only way of increasing the concentration of HNAPO in PIMs without affecting their mechanical stability can be based on using diluent free LIX84I with concentration of HNAPO significantly higher than that in comm..