Abstract
This study used a supported liquid membrane system (SLM) using Celgard 2400 polypropylene as the support, di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as the carrier, and kerosene as the diluent. To obtain the best carrier concentration, D2EHPA concentrations between 0.04 and 0.6 M were used. The Cr (III) solutions used in the feed phase had various ionic strengths and were adjusted with NaCl at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1.75 M. To maintain a constant pH (4) in the feed phase, a 0.2 M acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer was utilized. Because the rate of Cr (III)-carrier complex formation at the interface of the feed solution and membrane increased up to 20 x 10(-4) mol/L, it was discovered that transport of Cr (III) rose with an increase in chromium content in the feeding phase. For the optimization of the various stripping agents, HCl concentration was employed, from 0.25 M to 1.75 M. It was observed that Cr (III) transport increased with the increase in HCl concentration because the transport was at a pH gradient, which was the main driving force. Because of the fact that at the feed phase-membrane contact, D2EHPA combined with chromium ions to form the Cr (III)-carrier complex and released H+ protons, in the feed phase, the Cr (III)-carrier complex was diffused into a stripping phase, wherein Cr (III) ions were stripped and the carrier was reversibly protonated again.