A Novel PVC Based Polymer Inclusion Membrane Containing TODGA as the Extractant for the Pre-concentration of Americium from Acidic Feed Solutions

A series of novel polyvinylchloride (PVC) based polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing N,N,N,N-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) were prepared and applied for recovery of americium from acidic feed solutions. Transport properties of developed PIM for Am-241; were studied in flat sheet supported liquid membrane mode. Quantitative transport (>99.99%) was achieved at four hours with the optimized membrane composition. Optimum PVC PIM was further used for preconcentration of Am from acidic feed solutions. PIM was dipped in required solution with constant stirring. Kinetics of extraction was found to be rapid and about 80% extraction was achieved within two hours. Out of the four strippants used 0.1M -HIBA was found to be most suitable and took two hours for complete stripping. Four times volume reduction factors were achieved from acidic waste solutions. Using 24 PVC PIMs, 6.01mg was successfully trapped from 1.75L waste solution containing 6.2mg of Am (2.79M HNO3). The method was quite simple and can be applied for the recovery of Am from laboratory waste.