abstract
Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) can integrate multiple unit operations and operate under continuous mode, contributing to the development of sustainable separation processes. Encouraged by the designer solvent features of ionic liquids (ILs), we herein propose their use as components of double-stimuli-responsive (temperature-and pH-driven) ABS. Resorting to choline-alkanoate-based ILs as the pH-responsive components and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG 400) as the thermo-responsive component, the ABS ternary phase diagrams are determined at various temperature (25-45 degrees C) and pH (3-7) conditions. While the liquid-liquid phase diagram response to temperature obeys a lower critical solution temperature-like behavior, the response to pH correlates with the pKa of the IL anion parent acid. The simultaneous responsiveness to temperature and pH is then shown, whose results inspire the development of customizable separation techniques as proved with the simultaneous (one-step) separation of two dyes. By a proper customization of the IL chemical structure and stimuli applied, ABS may be designed to improve the performance and sustainability of separation processes.
keywords
DIMETHYL ETHER 250; 2-PHASE SYSTEMS; PROCESS INTENSIFICATION; MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES; POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL); PURIFICATION; EXTRACTION; SEPARATION; PROTEINS; RECOVERY
subject category
Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering
authors
Rufino, AFCS; Bola, JM; Coutinho, JAP; Silva, FAE; Freire, MG; Capela, EV
our authors
Groups
G4 - Renewable Materials and Circular Economy
G5 - Biomimetic, Biological and Living Materials
Projects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
This work was developed wit h i n the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020, and LA/P/0006/2020, financed by na- tional funds through the FCT/MEC (PIDDAC) . This work was developed wit h i n the project PTDC/EMD-TLM/3253/2020, financed by national funds (OE) , through FCT/MCTES. The NMR spectrometers are a part of the National NMR Network (PTNMR) and are partially supported by the Infrastructure Project No. 022161 (cofinanced by FEDER through COMPETE 2020, POCI and PORL, and FCT through PIDDAC) . A.F.C.S.R . and F.A.e.S. acknowledge FCT for the Ph.D. Grant SFRH/BD/138997/2018 and for the researcher Contract CEECIND/03076/2018 under the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Individual Call 2018, respectively.