Thermoreversible (Ionic-Liquid-Based) Aqueous Biphasic Systems

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Passos, H (Author) Other; Luis, A (Author) Other; Coutinho, JAP (Author) Other; Freire, MG (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Scientific Reports

Vol. 6

ISSN: 2045-2322

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 30 Citations

Scopus - 45 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-4X4

DOI: 10.1038/srep20276

Abstract (EN): The ability to induce reversible phase transitions between homogeneous solutions and biphasic liquid-liquid systems, at pre-defined and suitable operating temperatures, is of crucial relevance in the design of separation processes. Ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-based ABS) have demonstrated superior performance as alternative extraction platforms, and their thermoreversible behaviour is here disclosed by the use of protic ILs. The applicability of the temperature-induced phase switching is further demonstrated with the complete extraction of two value-added proteins, achieved in a single-step. It is shown that these temperature-induced mono(bi)phasic systems are significantly more versatile than classical liquid-liquid systems which are constrained by their critical temperatures. IL-based ABS allow to work in a wide range of temperatures and compositions which can be tailored to fit the requirements of a given separation process.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7