TRANSPORT OF SAMARIUM(III) AND URANIUM(VI) ACROSS A SILICONE-SUPPORTED LIQUID MEMBRANE USING DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL)PHOSPHORIC ACID AND TRIBUTYL-PHOSPHATE AS MOBILE CARRIERS

Transport of actinides and lanthanides from dilute acidic solutions through silicone membranes prepared in this laboratory was studied using di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) as mobile carriers. It was found that transport of uranyl and samarium ions increased with an increase in carrier concentration dissolved in kerosene in the membrane phase. However, the metal ion flux was optimum at 1 M D2EHPA and 30% (v/v) of TBP, after which it decreased. It was also observed that the higher nitrate ions concentration in the feed enhanced the transport of U(VI) species with TBP carrier. In general, the performance of our silicone membrane compares well with those of other extensively used supported membranes, such as polypropylene and PTFE.