Transport of mercury(II) ion through a supported liquid membrane containing a triisobutylphosphine sulfide (Cyanex 471X) as a mobile carrier

Carrier‐facilitated transport of mercury(II) against its concentration gradient from aqueous 0.1 mol dm^?3 hydrochloric acid solution across a flat‐sheet supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing triisobutylphosphine sulfide (Cyanex 471X) as the mobile carrier in kerosene as diluent has been investigated. Dilute sodium thiocyanate solution (0.11 mol dm^?3) was the most efficient stripping agent among several aqueous reagents tested. Various parameters such as stirring rate, concentration of HCl in the feed solution, concentration of NaSCN in the strippant, concentration of Cyanex 471X in the membrane, and contact time were investigated. Under optimum conditions the transport of Hg(II) across the liquid membrane is about 100% after 6 h. The carrier, Cyanex 471X, selectively and efficiently transported Hg(II) ions in the presence of other associated metal ions. The method has been demonstrated to recover selectively mercury from waste samples and mercurochrome solution. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry