Transport kinetics of Hg2+ through bulk liquid membrane using calix[4]arene ketone derivative as carrier

In this article, calix[4]arene ketone derivative was used as a carrier to transport Hg2+ ions from an aqueous solution into an aqueous receiving solution. The kinetic parameters (k(1), k(2), R-m(max), t(max), J(d)(max), J(a)(max)) were investigated with influence of temperature, the solvent, and stirring rate and analyzed in the formation of two consecutive, irreversible first order reactions. The membrane entrance rate, k(1), and the membrane exit rate, k(2), constants were increased with temperature and stirring rate and found to be dependent on the solvent type in the order CH2Cl2 > CHCl3 > CCl4. The activation energy was obtained as 5.28 kcal/mol from the slope of the Arrhenius plot for the case of maximum membrane exit flux, J(a)(max). This value indicates that the process is controlled by species diffusion.