Aqueous Multiphase Systems of Polymers and Surfactants Provide Self-Assembling Step-Gradients in Density
View/ Open
Author
Mace, Charles R.
Akbulut, Ozge
Shapiro, Nathan D.
Derda, Ratmir
Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja303183zMetadata
Show full item recordCitation
Mace, Charles R., Ozge Akbulut, Ashok A. Kumar, Nathan D. Shapiro, Ratmir Derda, Matthew R. Patton, and George M. Whitesides. 2012. Aqueous Multiphase Systems of Polymers and Surfactants Provide Self-Assembling Step-Gradients in Density. Journal of the American Chemical Society 134, no. 22: 9094–9097.Abstract
This Communication demonstrates the generation of over 300 phase-separated systems—ranging from two to six phases—from mixtures of aqueous solutions of polymers and surfactants. These aqueous multiphase systems (MuPSs) form self-assembling, thermodynamically stable step-gradients in density using a common solvent, water. The steps in density between phases of a MuPS can be very small (Δρ ≈ 0.001 g/cm3), do not change over time, and can be tuned by the addition of co-solutes. We use two sets of similar objects, glass beads and pellets of different formulations of Nylon, to demonstrate the ability of MuPSs to separate mixtures of objects by differences in density. The stable interfaces between phases facilitate the convenient collection of species after separation. These results suggest that the stable, sharp step-gradients in density provided by MuPSs can enable new classes of fractionations and separations based on density.Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Open Access Policy Articles, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#OAPCitable link to this page
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11956908
Collections
- FAS Scholarly Articles [18292]
Contact administrator regarding this item (to report mistakes or request changes)