Transport of uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) across bulk liquid membrane by thenoyl trifluoro acetone (TTA)

Abstract

Transport of uranyl ion across a bulk chloroform membrane containing thenoyl trifluoro acetone (TTA) as carrier has been studied. The pH of the feed solution was maintained at 4 to 5 while 0.1M nitric acid served as stripping agent in the receiving compartment of the permeation cell. Various factors affecting the transport process have been studied and the optimum experimental conditions have been established. The optimum pH was adjusted to 5-5.5 while 0.1M HCl served as receiving solution. Presence of EDTA as masking agent in the feed solution eliminated the interference from Th(IV) and transition metal ions. The membrane system has been applied to the recovery of uranium from synthetic seawater. A forty-fold preconcentration of uranium with 96.46 recovery of the metal ion in a single stage operation could be accomplished.