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Abstract: The partitioning behavior of the [Fe(CN)5(NO)]2− and [Fe(CN)6]3− anions were studied in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) formed by potassium phosphate and macromolecules—poly(ethylene oxide) (1500gmol−1) and triblock copolymers, PEO–PPO–PEO, where PEO and PPO are poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), respectively. Two copolymers with different hydrophobicity were used, L35 (50% EO and 1900gmol−1) and F68 (80% EO and 8400gmol−1). The partition coefficient for the [Fe(CN)5(NO)]2− and [Fe(CN)6]3− anions in each ATPS were investigated as a function of the temperature, tie-line length and phases hydrophobicity. The relative order of the partition coefficient is L35

Abstract: The extraction behavior of the ions Ni(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) was studied as a function of the amount of extractant added, in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) formed mostly by water and without the use of any organic solvent. The others ATPS components were a triblock copolymer (L35) and Na2SO4. Two types of water-soluble extractants (thiocyanate, iodide) and one slightly water-soluble extractant [1-nitroso-2-naphthol (1N2N)] were studied separately. It must be emphasized that this is the first study using a slightly water-soluble complexant for the metallic partition in ATPS, which was not a restrictive factor to the technique as believed. The extraction to the L35 rich-phase of all suited metal ions was insignificant without extractant addition. However, the effectiveness of SCN− in extracting metal ions in the system could be observed in the following sequence: Zn(II)≅Co(II)>Cd(II)>Cu(II)>Fe(III)>Ni(II), with Zn(II), Co(II) and Cd(II) quantitatively extracted and Cu(II) enriched by almost 80%. In the case of the I− extractant, all metal ions, except Cd(II) and Cu(II), remained in the salt-rich phase, providing favorable conditions to the selective separation of Ni(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) ions from Cd(II). The results show that, at pH 7.2, L35/Na2SO4/H2O ATPS can be used with 1N2N as extractant, to separate Co(II) from a complex mixture containing Fe(III), Zn(II) and Cd(II). It was observed, when using 1N2N, that a significant increase in metal extraction takes place as the pH increases, except for Cd(II) and Zn(II). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] A green and low cost technique for metal separation was discovered. [•] Aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is predominantly composed by water. [•] ATPS is an efficient substitute for liquid-liquid extraction using organic solvent. [•] Excellent separation factor for Cu and Zn was obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Partitioning of the natural dye norbixin has been studied in aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) that are formed by mixing aqueous solutions of a polymer (or copolymer) and an organic salt (sodium tartrate or succinate). In this work, the norbixin partition coefficient (K N) was optimized, taking into account the variables of polymer concentration, salt concentration and pH. It was found that K N is highly dependent on the electrolyte nature, system hydrophobicity and TLL values. Testing produced K N values between 8 and 130, indicating the great potential of ATPS as a method for norbixin pre-concentration/purification. Thermodynamic transfer parameters (Δtr G, Δtr H, Δtr S) indicate that the preferential concentration of norbixin in the top phase is favored by enthalpic and entropic contributions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]