Transport of some nitrogen heterocyclic and aromatic compounds through metal ion containing Nafion ionomer membrane

The permeation of some nitro en heterocyclic bases, such as 1,10-phenantkroline, 2,2'-bipyridyl and 2-aminopyridine, and several aromatic compounds, namely styrene, toluene, nitrobenzene, aniline and biphenyl, through Nafion 117 ionomer membrane in H+, Na+, CU(2+)and Ag+ form has been studied. The permeation fluxes of the organic solutes through the membrane were measured by determining the concentration of the compounds in the sweep solutions using HPLC or flow injection technique. The positive role of metal ions in enhancing the permeation flux has been attributed to the complex formation of the solutes with the metal ions in the membrane. The contribution of the molecular structure of the permeates and steric effects are also discussed. The separation of some binary mixtures under favourable conditions is also shown.