Composite hollow fiber membranes for organic solvent-based liquid–liquid extraction

Comparison of the applicability of electromembrane extraction and liquid-phase microextraction for extraction of non-polar basic drugs from different biological samples: Using clozapine as the model analyte

Understanding and comparing the applicability of electromembrane extraction (EME) and liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) is crucial for selecting an appropriate microextraction approach. In this work, EME and LPME based on supported liquid membranes were compared using biological samples, including whole blood, urine, saliva, and liver tissue. After optimization, efficient EME and LPME of clozapine from four biological samples were achieved. EME provided higher recovery and faster mass transfer for blood and liver tissue than LPME. These advantages were attributed to the electric field disrupting clozapine binding to interfering substances. For urine and saliva, EME demonstrated similar recoveries while achieving faster mass transfer rates. Finally, efficient EME and LPME were validated and evaluated combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The coefficient of determination of all methods was greater than 0.999, and all methods showed acceptable reproducibility (≤14%), accuracy (90%-110%), and matrix effect (85%-112%). For liver and blood with high viscosity and complex matrices, EME-LC-MS/MS provided better sensitivity than LPME-LC-MS/MS. The above results indicated that both EME and LPME could be used to isolate non-polar basic drugs from different biological samples, although EME demonstrated higher recovery rates for liver tissue and blood.

Solvent-Resistant UV-Cured Polysulfone Support Membranes Using a Green Solvent

Solvent-resistant UV-cured supports consisting of a semi-interpenetrating network of polysulfone (PSf) and cross-linked poly-acrylate were successfully synthesized for the first time using an alternative, non-reprotoxic, and biodegradable solvent. Tamisolve^® NxG is a high-boiling, dipolar aprotic solvent with solubility parameters similar to those of dimethylformamide (DMF) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), making it an eco-friendly alternative. The support membranes, prepared via UV-curing followed by non-solvent-induced phase inversion, can serve as a universal solvent-resistant support for the synthesis of a broad set of membranes, for which the selective layer can be deposited from any solvent. Parameters such as UV irradiation time and intensity, as well as the concentrations of PSf, penta-acrylate, and photo-initiator in the casting solution were varied to obtain such supports. The characteristics of the resulting supports were investigated in terms of separation performance, hydrophobicity, porosity, degree of acrylate conversion, and pure water flux. The resulting membranes showed improved chemical resistance in solvents such as ethyl acetate, NMP, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and toluene. Solvent-resistant supports with different pore sizes were synthesized and used for the preparation of thin film composite (TFC) membranes to demonstrate their potential. Promising separation performances with Rose Bengal (RB) rejections up to 98% and water permeances up to 1.5 L m^-2 h^-1 bar^-1 were reached with these TFC-membranes carrying a polyamide top layer synthesized via interfacial polymerization.

Understanding cost drivers and economic potential of two variants of ionic liquid pretreatment for cellulosic biofuel production

BACKGROUND

Ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment could enable an economically viable route to produce biofuels by providing efficient means to extract sugars and lignin from lignocellulosic biomass. However, to realize this, novel IL-based processes need to be developed in order to minimize the overall production costs and accelerate commercial viability. In this study, two variants of IL-based processes are considered: one based on complete removal of the IL prior to hydrolysis using a water-wash (WW) step and the other based on a "one-pot" (OP) process that does not require IL removal prior to saccharification. Detailed techno-economic analysis (TEA) of these two routes was carried out to understand the cost drivers, economic potential (minimum ethanol selling price, MESP), and relative merits and challenges of each route.

RESULTS

At high biomass loading (50%), both routes exhibited comparable economic performance with an MESP of $6.3/gal. With the possible advances identified (reduced water or acid/base consumption, improved conversion in pretreatment, and lignin valorization), the MESP could be reduced to around $3/gal ($3.2 in the WW route and $2.8 in the OP route).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that, to be competitive at industrial scale, lowered cost of ILs used and higher biomass loadings (50%) are essential for both routes, and in particular for the OP route. Overall, while the economic potential of both routes appears to be comparable at higher biomass loadings, the OP route showed the benefit of lower water consumption at the plant level, an important cost and sustainability consideration for biorefineries.

Applicability of a liquid membrane in enrichment and determination of nickel traces from natural waters

In this work, a bulk liquid membrane method has been applied for Ni enrichment and separation from natural waters. The carrier-mediated transport was accomplished by pyridine-2-acetaldehyde benzoylhydrazone dissolved in toluene as a complexing agent. The preconcentration was achieved through pH control of source and receiving solutions via a counterflow of protons. The main variables were optimized by using a modified simplex technique. High transport efficiencies (101.2 +/- 1.8-99.7 +/- 4.2%) were provided by the carrier for nickel ions in a receiving phase of 0.31 mol L(-1) nitric acid after 9-13 h depending on sample salinity. The precision of the method was 2.05% (without a saline matrix) and 4.04% (with 40 g L(-1) NaCl) at the 95% confidence level and the detection limit of the blank was 0.015 mug L(-1) Ni for detection by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The applicability of the method was tested on certified reference and real water samples with successful results, even for saline samples. The relative errors were -0.60% for certified reference materials and ranged from -0.39 to 2.90% and from 0.3 to 11.05% for real samples, obtained by comparison of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry measurements, respectively.

Determination of trace levels of dinitrophenolic compounds in environmental water samples using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane extraction and high performance liquid chromatography

A hollow fiber supported liquid membrane extraction method for the liquid chromatographic determination of dinitrophenolic compounds at ppt levels has been developed. Different variables affecting the extraction process, such as extraction time, shaking speed, acceptor pH, acceptor buffer concentration, salt content and humic acids have been studied. Enrichment factors up to 7000 times were obtained. Validation of the method included calibration experiments and studies of the linearity of the responses in different matrices. Good linearity was obtained in the environmental matrices evaluated. Detection limits range from 6.0 to 8.0 ng/L, and the relative standard deviations do not exceed 7% in terms of repeatability.

Determination of free copper concentrations in natural waters by using supported liquid membrane extraction under equilibrium conditions

A method is described for measurement of freely dissolved copper concentrations in natural water samples using supported liquid membrane (SLM) extraction under equilibrium conditions, a technique denoted "equilibrium sampling through membranes" (ESTM). For this purpose, 1,10-dibenzyl-1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 as neutral carrier and oleic acid were used in the membrane phase. The main variables optimised were the carrier used to form the metal complexes, the organic solvent used in the membrane, the countercation, pH, the ligand used in the acceptor phase, the extraction time, and the flow rate of the donor phase. After the optimisation process an enrichment factor of 18.5 was obtained. Equilibrium conditions were reached after extraction for 60 min if a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1) or greater was used. When different ligands such as humic acids, phthalic acid, and EDTA were added to the sample solution, and sample pH ranged from 6 to 8, the results obtained for freely dissolved copper concentrations were in a good agreement with results from speciation calculations performed with Visual Minteq V 2.30, Cheaqs V L20.1, and WinHumic V. The developed technique was applied to analysis of stream and leachate water.