Specific membrane transport of silver and copper as Ag(CN)3 and Cu(CN)4 ions through a supported liquid membrane using K-crown ether as a carrier

Facilitated transport of silver and copper from cyanide solutions through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing K⁺-crown ether as a carrier is described. The SLM used is a thin porous polypropylene (Celgard 2500, 2400) membrane impregnated with dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6), diaza-18-crown-6 (DA18C6), hexathia-18- crown-6 (HT18C6) and hexaaza-18-crown-6 (HA18C6) dissolved in a mixture of ethanol/chloroform (v/v). K₋⁺-crown ether showed a high efficiency to carry silver and copper as Ag(CN)₃²⁻ and Cu(CN)₄³⁻ species through the SLM. However, the mass flux of both silver and copper ions decreases when concentration of cyanide ions in the feed phase increases due to the difference in stability of the complexes M(CN)_nⁿ⁻(M=Ag, Cu) when n increases from 2 to 4. This was related to the partition of the species in the aqueous phase using a theoretical model.     

Complexation studies of some newly synthesized precursors for substituted dibenzo and dibenzodiaza crown ethers

This study represents the synthesis of dibenzo and dibenzodiaza crown ether precursors with various functional groups in good yield by employing four different methods using polar protic and aprotic solvents with high boiling points. Also the complexation abilities of all synthesized ligands with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ag⁺ were studied by conductometry; thus the conductometric behavior of Cu(NO₃)₂, ZnCI₂, and AgNO₃ in 80% dioxane–water mixture was investigated in the presence of these ligands. The order of formation constant for complexes of the ligands with Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ag⁺ ions was found to be: Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ag⁺ for the ligands of VI , VII , XI , and XII ; Cu²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Zn²⁺ for the ligands of III and VIII ; and Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Ag⁺ for the ligands of I , II , IV , V , IX , and X . © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2497–2501, 2004     

A generalized model for the measurement of effective diffusion coefficients of heterovalent ions in ion exchangers by the zero-length column method

A generalized theoretical model for the measurement of effective diffusion coefficients of heterovalent ions in ion exchange resins by the zero-length column method was developed. The model included the resistance to mass transfer both in the particle and in the film and described ion fluxes with Nernst-Planck equations. Equilibria were described using a model based on the mass action law. The values of intraparticle diffusivity of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and H⁺ on commercial Amberlite IR-120 were obtained by non-linear regression, these values agree fairly well with data reported previously in literature. The following trend was observed: D_Cu>D_Zn>D_Cd.     

Cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte-based fluorometric detection of copper(II) ions in aqueous solution

A series of water-soluble cationic polyfluorene copolymer containing 2,2′-bipyridine moieties (PFP-P_1-3) in the backbone were designed and synthesized as the fluorescent probes for Cu²⁺ ions. In the absence of the Cu²⁺ ion, the PFP-P₂ exhibits strong fluorescence emission in aqueous solution. Upon adding the Cu²⁺ ion, the PFP-P₂ coordinates to Cu²⁺ ions through weak N?Cu interactions, and its fluorescence is efficiently quenched by the Cu²⁺ ion with a Stern-Volmer constant (K_sv) of 1.44 × 10⁷ M⁻¹. The new method has high sensitivity with a detection limit of 20 nM. The minor interference from other heavy metal ions clearly shows that the PFP-P₂ can be used as the Cu²⁺ ion probe with good selectivity.     

Antimicrobial properties of co-doped tricalcium phosphates Ca3-2x(MˊMˊˊ)x(PO4)2 (M = Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+ and Sr2+)

The substituted (Ca²⁺/Cu²⁺), and co-substituted (Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺), (Cu²⁺/Sr²⁺), and (Sr²⁺/Mn²⁺) β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)-based Ca_3-2x(MˊMˊˊ)_x(PO₄)₂ (M = Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Sr²⁺) solid solutions have been synthesized using solid-state route. The powder X-ray diffraction study shows the formation of β-TCP-type structure as the main phase in all solid solutions. The crystal structures and chemical compositions were approved using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) absorption spectra and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) data, respectively. The unit cell parameters and volume of as-synthesized samples directly depend on the radius of the incorporated ions. The limits of the single-phase solid solutions were found based on the possible occupation of the crystal sites in β-TCP structure. For the divalent ions with small radii, such as Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺, the limit composition was found as Ca_2.571Mˊ_0.429–xMˊˊ_x(PO₄)₂ for Mˊ and Mˊˊ – Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The enlargement of the unit cell by incorporation of Sr²⁺ allows to extend the limit of solid solutions up to Ca_2.5Sr_0.5–xMˊ_x(PO₄)₂ for Mˊ – Cu²⁺ or Mn²⁺. The antibacterial properties were studied on 4 bacteria (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and E. faecalis) and 1 fungus (C. albicans). It has been showed that co-doped Ca_2.5Sr_0.25Cu_0.25(PO₄)₂ sample exhibits the highest antimicrobial activity resulting in 92%, 96% and 96% inhibition growth rate for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis, respectively. The antimicrobial properties are strongly related to the occupation of the crystal sites in the β-TCP structure by doping ions.     

Influence of molybdenum species on growth of anodic titania

TiMo, bcc, solid-solution alloys, containing 11.5-37.0 at.% molybdenum, have been anodised galvanostatically in 0.1 mol dm⁻³ ammonium pentaborate and 1.0 mol dm⁻³ phosphoric acid electrolytes, with resultant anodic films characterised by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy. Uniform amorphous films are formed at high current efficiency to >100 V, with formation ratios of 2.3 and 2.2 nm V⁻¹ in the respective electrolytes, contrasting with the amorphous-to-crystalline transition of anodic titania on titanium that occurs at ∼20-50 V. Apart from minor incorporation of electrolyte species, the films comprise an outer layer of TiO₂ and an inner oxide layer containing Ti⁴⁺ and Mo⁶⁺ ions. The films grow by migration of both cations and anions, with Ti⁴⁺ ions migrating faster than Mo⁶⁺ ions that is related to the energies of Ti⁴⁺O and Mo⁶⁺O bonds.     

Model for the determination of diffusion coefficients of heterovalent ions in macroporous ion exchange resins by the zero-length column method

A generalized theoretical model for the measurement of effective diffusion coefficients of heterovalent ions in macroporous ion-exchange resins by the zero-length column method was developed. The model includes the resistance to mass transfer both in the particle and in the film and described ion fluxes with Nernst-Planck equations. Equilibrium was described using the Langmuir type empirical equation. The values of intraparticle diffusivity of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and H⁺ on commercial Lewatit TP-207 were obtained by non-linear regression, these values agree fairly well with data reported previously in literature. The following trend was observed: D_Cu>D_Zn>D_Cd.     

Transport of cobalt(II) through a hollow fiber supported liquid membrane containing di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as the carrier

This work presents experimental, modeling and simulation studies for Co²⁺ ion extraction using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) operated in a recycling mode. Extractant di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) diluted with kerosene has been used as the membrane phase. The Co²⁺ ion concentration in the aqueous feed phase was varied in the range of 1–3 mM. Also, D2EHPA concentration was varied in the range of 10–30% (v/v). A mass transfer model has been developed considering the complexation and de-complexation reactions to be fast and at equilibrium. Equations for extractant mass balance and counter-ion (H⁺) transport have also been incorporated in the model. Extraction equilibrium constant (K_ex) for cobalt–D2EHPA system has been estimated from equilibration experiments and found to be 3.48 × 10⁻⁶. It was observed that the model results are in good agreement with the experimental data when diffusivity of metal-complex (D_m) through the membrane phase is 1.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²/s. Feed phase pH and strip phase acidity had negligible effect on the extraction profiles of Co²⁺ ions. An increase in D2EHPA concentration increased extraction rates of Co²⁺ ions. The membrane phase diffusion step was found to be the controlling resistance to mass transfer.     

Theoretical and practical investigations of copper ion selective electrode with polymeric membrane based on N,N′-(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl)-bis(dihydroxyacetophenone)

A novel ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane sensor for Cu²⁺ ions based on N,N′-(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl)-bis(dihydroxyacetophenone) (NDHA) as a new ionophore was prepared and studied. The best performance was observed for the membrane composition, including 30:65:1:4 (wt%) = PVC:DBP:KTpClPB:NDHA. The electrode showed a good Nernstian slope of 30.0 ± 0.5 mV/decade in a wide linear range activity of 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³ Cu(NO₃)₂ with limit of detection 2.5 × 10⁻⁷. Sensor exhibited a fast response time (t_95% < 10 s) and could be used for about 4 months in the pH range of 3.0–7.4. The proposed potentiometric sensor was found to work satisfactorily in partially non-aqueous media up to 30 (vol%) content of methanol, ethanol and acetone. Applications of this electrode for the determination of copper in real samples, and as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ ion using EDTA, were reported. In order to predict the extraction ability of NDHA for different metallic ions, the complexes [M(NDHA)] and [M(H₂O)₆] (where M = Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, K⁺ and Al³⁺) were investigated using ab initio theoretical calculations. The metal binding capability was evaluated using the binding energy. Results of our study could be useful for prediction of the extraction power of this Schiff base and could play a guiding role in planning experiments.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(hydroxamic acid) chelating resin from poly(methyl acrylate)‐grafted sago starch

A new chelating ion‐exchange resin containing the hydroxamic acid functional group was synthesized from poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)‐grafted sago starch. The PMA grafted copolymer was obtained by a free‐radical initiating process in which ceric ammonium nitrate was used as an initiator. Conversion of the ester groups of the PMA‐grafted copolymer into hydroxamic acid was carried out by treatment of an ester with hydroxylamine in an alkaline solution. The characterization of the poly(hydroxamic acid) chelating resin was performed by FTIR spectroscopy, TG, and DSC analyses. The hydroxamic acid functional group was identified by infrared spectroscopy. The chelating behavior of the prepared resin toward some metal ions was investigated using a batch technique. The binding capacities of copper, iron, chromium, and nickel were excellent and the copper capacity was maximum (3.46 mmol g⁻¹) at pH 6. The rate of exchange of the copper ion was very fast that is, t_1/2 < 5 min. It was also observed that the metal ion‐sorption capacities of the resin were pH‐dependent and its selectivity toward the metal ions used is in the following order: Cu²⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > As³⁺ > Pb²⁺. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1256–1264, 2001     

Adsorption of Mercury(II), Lead(II), Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) from Aqueous Solutions using Mercapto‐Modified Silica Particles

This article presents a novel systematic approach to the fabrication of highly functionalized, silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles used for the adsorption of heavy‐metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺). Almost monodispersed silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles with narrow particle size distributions of around 85 ± 5 nm were formed using the Stöber process. The prepared SiO₂ nanoparticles were successfully surface‐treated during a one‐step procedure by the covalent attachment of mercaptopropyl groups onto the surfaces of the SiO₂ nanoparticles. A FTIR spectra analysis confirmed that the binding of the mercaptosilane molecules onto the surface of the silica nanoparticles mediated the Si–O–Si and –SH vibrations. TEM/EDXS micrographs indicated the almost monodispersed and spherical morphology of the prepared product with strong signals of Si and S, thus implying that the coating procedure involving the mercapto groups onto the silica surface had been successfully accomplished. The final results for the heavy‐metal (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺) adsorption showed the strongest affinity within the following sequence Hg²⁺ (99.9%) > Pb²⁺ (55.9%) > Cd²⁺ (50.2%) > Zn²⁺ (4%). Adsorption equilibrium was achieved after 1 h for all the analyzed samples.     

Chelation properties of poly(β‐diketone) polymer and its oxime toward heavy metal ions

The chelation behavior of poly(β‐diketone), polymer I, and poly(β‐diketone) oxime, polymer II, toward the divalent metal ions, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺, and the trivalent lanthanide metal ions, La³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, and Tb³⁺ was investigated by a batch equilibration technique as a function of contact time, pH, and counter ion. Polymer II exhibited improved chelation characteristics toward lanthanide metal ions in comparison with polymer I and the metal‐ion uptake follows the order Tb³⁺ ≈ Gd³⁺ ≈ Sm³⁺ > Nd³⁺ ≈ La³⁺. On the other hand, polymer I showed relatively higher capacity than polymer II, toward the investigated divalent metal ions, where the metal‐ion uptake follows the order Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ ≈ Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and characterisation of a poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) hydrogel for selective binding of Cu and application to diffusive gradients in thin films measurements

A poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) [poly(AAGA-co-AAm)] hydrogel was prepared by copolymerising 2-acrylamidoglycolic acid (AAGA) with acrylamide (AAm). The copolymer hydrogel composition and structure was characterised by FTIR spectroscopy and elemental microanalysis and found to contain 3.5 AAGA monomer units for each AAm monomer unit. This was similar to the monomer ratios used in the synthesis. The metal ion binding properties of the hydrogel were characterised for a range of metal ions (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) under varying conditions of pH, ionic strength, metal concentration and time. The hydrogel was shown to bind Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ strongly under non-competitive binding conditions, with binding capacities of 5.3 and 5.1 μmol cm⁻², respectively. The binding capacity of each metal decreased, under competitive binding conditions (with a range of metal ions present at 17.8 μN), to 1.3 and 0.17 μmol cm⁻², respectively, indicating stronger selectivity for Cu²⁺. The metal ions were readily recovered (>94%) by eluting with 2 M nitric acid solution for 24 h. The binding capacities for Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were also found to decrease with increasing ionic strength and at pH values <5. The copolymer was found to have an equilibrium swelling ratio (q_w) of over 500 at a maxima of pH 5.4 and at low ionic strengths. Finally, the copolymer hydrogel was tested as a binding phase with the diffusive gradients in thin films technique. A linear mass vs. time relationship was observed for Cu²⁺ in synthetic Windermere water with a recovery of approximately 100%.     

Accumulation of Cu(II) cations in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films doped by hexacyanoferrate anions and its application in Cu-selective electrodes with PVC based membranes

Electrochemical properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with hexacyanoferrate(II,III) ions (PEDOT(HCF)) were studied in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. Voltammetric and EDAX studies revealed retention of hexacyanoferrate anions in the polymer film and accumulation of Cu(II) cations, as well as formation of solid copper hexacyanoferrate near the polymer surface.Accumulation of Cu²⁺ ions was found to be advantageous from the point of view of PEDOT(HCF) applications as a solid contact (ion-to-electron transducer) in all-solid-state Cu²⁺-selective electrodes with solvent polymeric polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based membrane, containing Cu²⁺-selective ionophore. Binding of Cu²⁺ ions in the conducting polymer layer results in analyte ions flux into the transducer phase. Thus, pronounced enhancement of selectivity of the all-solid-state Cu²⁺-selective electrode or lower detection limit of the potentiometric response range was achieved, reaching under optimised conditions 10⁻⁷ M CuSO₄.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new guar gum 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid resin and its use for the separation of heavy metal ions in industrial effluents

Hydroxybenzoic acid group has been incorporated onto guar gum by modified Porath's method of functionalization of polysaccharides. The newly synthesized guar gum 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (GHBA) resin was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ion‐exchange capacity, column reusability, and physicochemical properties. The distribution coefficient (K_d) values and effect of pH on chelation of these metal ions using batch method were studied. The separations of mixture of Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ metal ions on GHBA resin on the basis of their distribution coefficient at various pH were also achieved using column chromatography. The effect of experimental parameters such as pH, treatment time, agitation speed, temperature, adsorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration, and flow rate on the removal of metal ions has been also studied. GHBA resin is effective adsorbents for the removal of different toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions and follows the order: Fe²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and adsorption selectivity for Hg(II) and Ag(I) of chelating resin immobilizing benzothiazolyl group on crosslinked polystyrene via hydrophilic sulfur‐containing PEG spacer

A new chelating resin incorporating 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBZ) into macroporous chloromethylated polystyrene via hydrophilic spacer of polyethylene glycol containing sulfur was synthesized. The resin was characterized by elementary analysis and infrared spectra. The adsorption capacity of the resin for Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ as a function of pH was determined. The effects of interference ions, such as Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺, on percent recovery were also investigated. The results showed that the resin could effectively remove Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ from solutions containing a large excess of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺. In column operation, it was observed that Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ in trace quantities were effectively removed from binary metal ions. The percent recovery of the resin for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ was >98.6% and >97.5%, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 5034–5038, 2006     

Treatment of industrial wastewater using zeolitite and sepiolite,natural microporous materials

This work investigates the ability of natural microporous materials, such as a zeolite-rich tuff (zeolitite) and a modulated phyllosilicate (sepiolite), to remove heavy-metal ions from simulated inorganic polluted industrial wastewater. Fixed beds of sepiolite and zeolitite were percolated by a solution of Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ (concentration of each cation, 2 ? 10^?3 N; total concentration, 10^?2 N) and were regenerated with a 2 ? 10^?3 N Na⁺ solution. The order of decreasing affinity was, for sepiolite: Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ ? Co²⁺, and, for zeolitite: Pb²⁺ “Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺. After regeneration with Na⁺ solution, a fraction of the retained heavy metals was quickly released by the beds as follows: sepiolite, Co²⁺ ? Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺; zeolitite, Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺ ? Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Pb²⁺. XRD and DTA-TGA analyses examined structural changes in the natural and final materials.     

Adsorption characteristics of metal ions by CO2-fixing Chlorella sp. HA-1

Single and binary metal systems were employed to investigate the removal characteristics of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ by Chlorella sp. HA-1 that were isolated from a CO₂ fixation process. Adsorption test of single metal systems showed that the maximum metal uptakes were 0.767 mmol Pb²⁺, 0.450 mmol Cd²⁺, 0.334 mmol Cu²⁺ and 0.389 mmol Zn²⁺ per gram of dry cell. In the binary metal systems, the metal ions on Chlorella sp. HA-1 were adsorbed selectively according to their adsorption characteristics. Pb²⁺ ions significantly inhibited the adsorption of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions, while Cu²⁺ ions decreased remarkably the metal uptake of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The relative adsorption between Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions was reduced similarly by the presence of the other metal ions.     

Characterization of Adsorptive Capacity and Investigation of Mechanism of Cu2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ Adsorption on Mango Peel Waste from Constituted Metal Solution and Genuine Electroplating Effluent

Abstract

The present study reports the potential of mango peel waste (MPW) as an adsorbent material to remove Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ from constituted metal solutions and genuine electroplating industry wastewater. Heavy metal ions were noted to be efficiently removed from the constituted solution with the selectivity order of Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Zn²⁺. The adsorption process was pH-dependent, while the maximum adsorption was observed to occur at pH 5 to 6. Adsorption was fast as the equilibrium was established within 60 min. Maximum adsorption of the heavy metal ions at equilibrium was 46.09, 39.75, and 28.21 mg g for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, respectively. Adsorption data of all the three metals fit well the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with 0.99 regression coefficient. Release of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and protons H⁺ from MPW, during the uptake of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, and EDX analysis of MPW, before and after the metal sorption process, revealed that ion exchange was the main mechanism of sorption. FTIR analysis showed that carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups were involved in the sorption of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺. MPW was also shown to be highly effective in removing metal ions from the genuine electroplating industry effluent samples as it removed all the three metal ions to the permissible levels of discharge legislated by environment protection agencies. This study indicates that MPW has the potential to effectively remove metal ions from industrial effluents.     

Poly[poly(oxypropylene) phosphate] macroionophores for transport and separation of cations in a hybrid: Cation‐exchange polymer and liquid membrane system

Poly[poly(oxypropylene) phosphate]s (PPOPP, M_n = 5800, 8100, 10,400), with different POP units (400, 1200, 2000), were synthesized and applied as cation‐selective macroionophores in a multimembrane hybrid system (MHS). The solution of PPOPP in dichloroethane formed the flowing liquid membrane (FLM) circulating between two polymer cation‐exchange membranes, and subsequently, between two polymer‐made pervaporation (PV) membranes. It was found that the PPOPP macroionophores activate the preferential transport of Zn²⁺ cations from aqueous solutions containing competing Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ cations. The following separation orders were observed for PPOPPs with POP‐400 and POP‐1200: Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺ ? Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, and for PPOPP with POP‐2000: Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺,Ca²⁺ ? Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺. Always, the particular cations are separated as: Zn²⁺ > Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺, and K⁺ > Na⁺. The properties of PPOPPs were compared to respective transport and separation characteristics corresponding to those of respective poly(propylene glycol)s and poly(oxypropylene) bisphosphates. The results of investigation indicate that the bifunctional character of PPOPPs is caused by the presence of ionizable groups and probably pseudocyclic POP structures. By comparing the separation of cations in the simple MHS[FLM] system and the system supported by pervaporation unit [MHS[FLM‐PV] it was found that continuous dehydration of an organic FLM improves the system overall performance. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1436–1445, 2004