Enhancing drug recovery efficiency: A numerical solution approach with electromembrane extraction modeling

Abstract

Electromembrane extraction (EME) has gained attention as an efficient alternative to conventional sample preparation, yet the mechanistic understanding of coupled electrokinetic and mass transport phenomena remains limited. To address this gap, we developed a numerical framework based on the coupled Poisson–Nernst–Planck equations, solved via the finite element method in COMSOL Multiphysics, to investigate the extraction of basic and acidic drugs under realistic partitioning conditions. A comprehensive parametric study was conducted, examining the effects of applied voltage, donor/acceptor phase pH, membrane thickness, drug diffusivity, porosity, initial concentration, and extraction time. The results revealed a strong correlation between flux and potential difference across the supported liquid membrane: extraction recovery increased from 46 % to nearly 100 % when the voltage was raised from 5 to 30 V. Moreover, a maximum recovery of 97.6 % was achieved at a donor phase pH of 2. Sensitivity to membrane thickness and drug diffusivity was also confirmed, highlighting the importance of partitioning effects on extraction performance. These findings provide mechanistic insights and practical guidelines for optimizing EME, with direct relevance to pharmaceutical separations and environmentally sustainable drug recovery. Beyond advancing fundamental understanding, these insights can support the design of more sustainable and efficient pharmaceutical separation processes, thereby facilitating both research development and potential industrial applications in drug recovery and purification.