A novel approach in simultaneous extraction of basic dyes by using a batch reactor consisting a polymer inclusion membrane

Abstract

A novel approach in simultaneous extraction of two basic dyes, malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution was performed by using a batch reactor consisting a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM). The PIM is made up of poly(vinyl) chloride (PVC) as the base polymer, bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (B2EHP) as an extractant and dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as the plasticizer. The optimized extraction conditions for both dyes were identified by varying the composition of the PIM. It was found that the optimum PIM composition for simultaneous extraction was PIM with a composition of PVC 35% wt% (m/m): B2EHP 60% wt% (m/m): DOP 5% wt% (m/m). It shows that the average percent extraction efficiency achieved is more than 97% for the mixture of MG and MB (100 mg L−1) within 4 h of extraction process. The batch reactor consisting PIM prepared in this study is highly capable in performing simultaneous extraction of MG and MB in an aqueous solution.