Synthesis and characterization of cellulose triacetate and poly(ethylene imine) membranes containing a polyether macrobicyclic: Their application to the separation of copper(II) and silver(I) ions

A cellulose triacetate (CTA)-poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) membrane containing a polyether macrobicyclic (crytand) as a carrier and 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as a plasticizer was prepared. The CTA-PEI-c-ryptand-NPOE membrane was characterized with chemical techniques as well as Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The permeation of silver and copper ions through the CTA-PEI-cryptand-NPOE membrane was comparable to that through a supported liquid membrane. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.