The Separation of Cu2+ and Ni2+ from Fe3+ Ions by Complexation with Alginic Acid and Using a Suitable Membrane

In this study the EC-PEG 4000 alloy membrane was used as a filter for the concentration and separation of metallic ions. Its permeability was first studied, and it was found that it is permeable to Cu 2+ and Ni 2+ but not to Fe 3+ ions. This property of an EC-PEG 4000 alloy membrane was used to separate Fe 3+ from Ni 2+ and Cu 2+ in aqueous solutions. Alginic acid was used as a complexing agent and the separation was carried out at different pH values for different concentrations of the complexing agent for Fe 3+ /Ni 2+ and Fe 3+ /Cu 2+ pairs separately.