The binodal curves of the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS)
containing
the polyoxyethylene (10) lauryl ether (POELE10, C32H66O11) and three potassium salts (KOH/K2CO3/K3PO4) were determined at the
temperatures (288.15, 293.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K. The three experience
equations were used to fit the binodal data for the studied systems,
and a satisfactory correlation effect was obtained. The effect of
salts on the binodal curves for the investigated systems was discussed
by the effective excluded volume (EEV), and we found that the salting-out
effect is mainly influenced by valence of anion of salts. The salt
containing the higher valence of anion has a stronger phase-forming
ability than that with a lower charge of anion. The liquid–liquid
equilibrium (LLE) data for the investigated systems were determined
and correlated by the Othmer–Tobias and Bancroft equations.
The effect of the change of temperature on the binodal curves and
tie-lines was also studied through the analysis of the EEV values
and cloud point (CP) figure. The increase in temperature leads to
the strengthening hydrophobicity of POELE10 that drive more water
transferring from the top phase to the bottom phase, which means the
phase-forming ability of the whole systems was strengthened. Thus,
the critical concentration of POELE10 and salts for forming ATPS decreases
with the rising temperature.