Separation of copper and zinc by supported liquid membrane using TOPS-99 as mobile carrier

The separation of copper and zinc from an aqueous sulphate media by supported liquid membrane (SLM) using di-2-ethyl hexyl phosphoric acid (TOPS-99) as mobile carrier has been studied. Celgard-2500, a microporous polypropylene film, was used as the solid support for the liquid membrane. A plate and frame type of cell was used for the experiment. The effects of different parameters such as flow rate, pH of feed solution, TOPS-99 concentration in the membrane phase and acid concentration in strip solution on separation of copper and zinc were studied. It was observed that flow rate of 100 mL/min (velocity 85.7 m/h) was sufficient to reduce the resistances due to the aqueous boundary layer. Zinc was permeated in a pH region 1.5–5.0, while copper permeation started at pH 3.0. At pH 2.5, the co-permeation of copper with zinc was negligible, and a high separation factor was achieved at this pH.