Transport of nickel and copper against a concentration gradient through a carboxylic membrane, based on poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene)

Carboxylic exchange membranes were prepared from poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-divinylbenzene) (PVC) [poly(MMA-co-DVB]. Transport of nickel and copper against a concentration gradient through the membrane was investigated by using a system containing NiCl₂ or CuCl₂ aqueous solution on the left side (L) and mixed solution of NiCl₂ (or CuCl₂) and HCl on the right side (R) of the membrane. It was found that nickel and copper were actively transported through the membrane from the L to the R side during the first 5 h of the experiments. The rate of transport of the ions increased with increasing H⁺ ion concentration on the R side and the initial concentration of the metals ions on both sides. The highest rate of transport was observed when 0.1 mol/L MeCl₂ on the L side and 0.1 mol/L MeCl₂-0.5 mol/L HCl on the R side were used. The nickel and copper transport fractions were 34 and 24%, respectively. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.