Recent developments of microcapsules and polymer particles for separation medium

Abstract Microcapsules and porous polymer particles containing extractants, which are functional molecules to extract target ions or molecules by specific interaction using in solvent extraction process, are expected to be an effective separation medium of various substances from aqueous solution in hydrometallurgical process of harmful or valuable metals and in environmental protection processes from various pollutants. The preparation method, encapsulating materials and application area of these materials has been developed and extended in recent years. Recent topics of this field was been presented. The research on the polymeric particles for separation medium investigated by authors was introduced and showed the structural effect of the polymeric particles containing extractant on the separation performance of metal ion and chiral separation of amino acids by porous particles impregnated with phospholipids.