Characterization of Lithium Ion Transport Via Dialysis Process

Dialysis is a membrane based separation process in which the concentration gradient across the membrane is the driving force resulting in a flow of material from one side of the membrane to the other. In this study membranes (Accurel, Celgard, GVHP, PM30 and PTHK) with different pore sizes were employed to characterise the transport of lithium ion in various (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5 w/v percent) initial feed concentrations via the dialysis process. This may be considered as a basis for wastewater treatment containing metal ions. The results show that low initial feed concentration causes less passage of ions through the membrane due to low driving force i.e. concentration gradient across the membrane. The investigation of the effect of membrane pore size on ion transport revealed that large pore size membranes provide less penetration of the metal ions through the membrane. These reproducible results, which are not expected, have been explained by the transport mechanism. Two types of mechanisms (extensive versus intensive) have been suggested for metal ion transport through different membranes. If the mechanism of ion transport is intensive, more ions pass through the membrane. Extensive mechanism results in lower ion transport through the membrane.