A Novel Supported Polymer Inclusion Membrane Concept for Reagent-Efficient Membrane Design

This work explores, for the first time, a novel strategy for the preparation of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) based on their deposition onto porous supporting substrates, introducing the concept of supported PIMs as a reagent-efficient alternative to conventional free-standing membranes. The approach aims to improve the sustainability of PIM fabrication by significantly reducing the amount of polymer and extractant required while preserving membrane functionality. PIMs were prepared using the two most widely employed base polymers, cellulose triacetate (CTA) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), with Aliquat 336 as extractant. The total reagent consumption was reduced to half of the conventional formulation for CTA-based membranes and to one quarter for PVC-based membranes. Two porous supports with contrasting physicochemical properties—a hydrophilic cellulose filter paper and a hydrophobic Durapore® PVDF membrane—were investigated. The supported membranes were characterized by contact angle measurements, SEM, FTIR, and TGA, confirming the successful integration of the PIM phase onto the porous supports without chemical alteration. Arsenate (As(V)) transport, preconcentration, and membrane reusability were evaluated. CTA-based supported PIMs exhibited transport efficiencies of approximately 90–95%, comparable to free-standing PIMs, whereas PVC-based systems showed a stronger dependence on membrane loading. Notably, CTA-based Durapore®–PIMs retained around 70% transport efficiency after three reuse cycles. These results demonstrate the feasibility of supported PIMs as a strategy for reducing membrane material consumption while preserving functional performance.