Evaluation of coupled transport across a liquid membrane as an analytical preconcentration technique

When two aqueous solutions are separated by a liquid membrane that contains a complexing agent which is a conjugate base of a weak acid, a metal ion can be transported from the solution of the higher pH against its concentration gradient into the more acidic solution. With Cu(II) as the analyte and a liquid membrane consisting of a mixture of oximes dissolved in kerosene, enrichment factors for a prescribed dialysis time in a simple experimental apparatus were nearly independent of Cu(II) concentration over the range 10(-4)-10(-7)M. With 0.1M hydrochloric acid as the receiver, the enrichment factor was independent of ionic strength and of sample pH in the range 4-9. The effect of sample pH on the interference of Fe(III) was examined. With a pH-2.5 formate buffer, the enrichment factor for Cu(II) decreased as the Fe(III) concentration increased, but in a pH-9.3 ammonium buffer, 0.14 mM Fe(III) did not interfere with the transport of Cu(II) from a 16muM copper sample.