Equilibrium phase behavior of aqueous two-phase systems containing 17R4/L64 and citrates

The cloud points (CPs) of the copolymers 17R4 and L64 were first measured, and then the effects of salts ((NH₄)₃C₆H₅O₇, K₃C₆H₅O₇) on 17R4 and L64 were researched. After finishing the work described above, the temperature (278.15, 283.15, and 288.15) K of aqueous two-phase systems was determined, which consist of 17R4-(NH₄)₃C₆H₅O₇, 17R4-K₃C₆H₅O₇, L64-(NH₄)₃C₆H₅O₇, and L64-K₃C₆H₅O₇. Finally, the liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data of binodal curve and the tie line for 17R4-(NH₄)₃C₆H₅O₇ aqueous two- phase systems (ATPSs) 17R4-K₃C₆H₅O₇ ATPSs, L64-(NH₄)₃C₆H₅O₇ ATPSs, and L64-K₃C₆H₅O₇ ATPSs were obtained. Nonlinear fitting of the empirical equation was used for making the diagram. The results showed that the change in the size of the two-phase areas increases with the increase of temperature. The capacity of the salts to induce phase segregation follows the Hofmeister series, that is, K₃C₆H₅O₇?>?(NH₄)₃C₆H₅O₇. In addition, the findings also showed that the phase separation ability of 17R4 is better than that of L64.