Uphill Transport of Thallium(I) and Potassium Ions through a 1, 2-Dichloroethane Membrane

Abstract

The uphill transport of thallium( I) and potassium ions through a 1, 2-dichloroethane liquid membrane containing chelating agents such as crown ethers and valinomycin has been studied. The membrane was set to separate two aqueous phases, one (Phase 1) containing 5x 10-4 mol/ thallium or potassium sulfate and 0.05mol// sodium sulfate and the other (Phase 2) containing 5x10-4molg thallium or potassium sulfate and 0. lmolg sodium perchlorate, nitrate or chloride. The thallium and potassium ions transported against the concentration gradient through the membrane and accumulated in Phase 1. The rates of transport of thallium and potassium ions were affected by the type of chelating agents used and counter-ions for sodium ion in Phase 2 and by their concentrations.