Hybrid organic–inorganic membranes containing a fixed thio ether complexing agent for the facilitated transport of silver versus copper ions

Hybrid siloxane membranes containing fixed sulphide and amino binding sites were synthesised by sol–gel process. The effects of the chemical composition of membranes (nature, geometrical organisation of the donor atoms, amount of the grafted complexant, condensation degree of the hybrid siloxane network) as well as the operating transport conditions (pH gradient, extractant in the permeate) on copper and silver transport were studied.