Salt Effects on the Aqueous Two-Phase System of Gemini(12-3-12, 2Br−)/SDS/PEG

The effect of added salts (NaCl, KCl and NaBr) on the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) formed in mixtures of Gemini(12-3-12, 2Br⁻)/sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyethylene glycol has been investigated. Phase diagrams of the aqueous systems containing Gemini(12-3-12, 2Br⁻), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), polyethylene glycol(PEG) and a salt have been determined experimentally at 313.15 K. The results indicate that the addition of salts not only induces the appearance of ATPS-A (in which anionic surfactant is in excess), shortens the phase separation time, enlarges the regions of ATPS-C (in which cationic surfactant is in excess), and decreases the minimum concentration required for forming an ATPS, but also alters the matching between anionic and cationic surfactants. Extractive experiments also showed that these salts notably enhance the extraction ability of ATPS; the Gemini-rich phase exhibits prominent cohesive action with xylenol orange, regardless of whether or not it is the upper phase or the lower phase.