Convection-aided collection of metal ions using chelating porous flat-sheet membranes

Chelating porous membranes were prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of an epoxy-group-containing monomer onto a polyethylene flat sheet and subsequent conversion of the epoxy group to an iminodiacetate group as a chelate-forming group. The chelating group density on the resultant porous flat-sheet membrane of 1.0 mol/kg was comparable to that of commercially available chelating beads. The pure water permeability of the membrane was 40% that of the trunk porous membrane, which was used for microfiltration. During the permeation of a copper chloride solution through the membrane, diffusional mass-transfer resistance of copper ion was negligible, since the ion was transported by convective flow through the pore. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the membranes were measured as a function of dose of electron-beam irradiation, the degree of grafting, and the chelating group density to determine an applicable range for practical use.