Phosphonium ionic liquids (IL), i.e.,
trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium
chloride (Cyphos IL 101), trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinate
(Cyphos IL 104), and tributyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride (Cyphos
IL 167), were used as ion carriers in CTA or PVC-based polymer inclusion
membranes (PIM). Up to now, the morphology and structure of PIMs with
phosphonium ILs have not been characterized in detail. Thus, the following
techniques were proposed in this papercontact angle measurements,
FT-IR, XRD, DSC, AFM, and SEMto analyze the influence of PIM
morphology on the efficiency of Zn(II) transport. CTA-based membranes
appeared to be more hydrophilic, with a more expanded and rough surface
that allowed better accessibility of the metal ions to the membrane.
PVC-based PIMs were more hydrophobic and completely amorphous, and
their surface showed less diversity, resulting in worse accessibility.
Also, PIM stability after five cycles of transport processes was examined.