SELECTIVE AND QUANTITATIVE PARTITIONING OF PERTECHNETATE IN POLYETHYLENE-GLYCOL BASED AQUEOUS BIPHASIC SYSTEMS

Aqueous biphasic separation of97Ru and95,96Tc from yttrium

An aqueous biphasic separation technique has been developed for the separation of⁹⁷Ru, a potential candidate radionuclide in nuclear medicine, from its target matrix, yttrium.

Nitroprusside−PEO Enthalpic Interaction as a Driving Force for Partitioning of the [Fe(CN)5NO]2- Anion in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Formed by Poly(ethylene oxide) and Sulfate Salts

Ions are known to concentrate in the salt-enriched phase of aqueous two-phase systems, with the only known exception being the pertechnetate anion, TcO(4)(-). We have discovered a second ion, nitroprusside anion (NP), which is markedly transferred from the salt phase to the polymer phase. The partitioning behavior of [Fe(CN)(5)NO](2-) anion was investigated in ATPS formed by poly(ethylene oxide) of molar mass 3350 and 35000 g mol(-1), and different sulfate salts (Na(2)SO(4), Li(2)SO(4), and MgSO(4)). On the basis of a model, the nitroprusside high affinity for the macromolecular phase was attributed to an enthalpic specific interaction between the anion and ethylene oxide unit. Partition coefficients increased exponentially with tie-line length increase, reaching values as high as 1000 and showing a relationship very dependent on the salt nature, but independent of the polymer molar mass.

Model for the partition of metal ions in aqueous two-phase systems

A model for the partition of metal ions in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) has been developed. The partition coefficient of a metal ion D(M), is a function of several variables of the ion (size, charge and electronegativity), characteristics of the ATPS such as type of salt, salt concentration and PEG concentration and additional inorganic salt present in the ATPS. The model has been tested for complex anions of BiX4- (BiCl4-, BiBr4- and BiI4-) and cations from groups I and II (Na+, Cs+, Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+) giving a good correlation in both systems. It was found that for these systems partition coefficient increases with ion size and the variables Y which is a characteristic of the ATPS and Z which is a characteristic of the additional salt present in the system. The partition coefficient of BiX4- increases with the variable X which is a characteristic of the electrical interactions of the metal ion. The cations from groups II and I exhibit the opposite behavior, which is attributable to the ion charge.

Naphthol- and resorcinol-based azo dyes as metal ion complexants in aqueous biphasic systems

Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) are comprised of both a polymer-rich phase (e.g., polyethylene glycol, PEG) and a salt-rich phase [e.g., (NH4)2SO4] such that both phases are 80% water on a molar basis. ABS have demonstrated applications as environmentally-friendly methods to separate relatively hydrophobic anionic species, such as pertechnetate and mercury halide anionic complexes, from high ionic strength solutions although partitioning of hydrated metal ions, such as Fe3+ and actinides, to the PEG-rich phase is negligible without the addition of a metal ion complexant to the system. Four naphthol- or resorcinol-based dyes; 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN), 1-(thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN), 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR) and 4-(2-thiazolylazo)-resorcinol (TAR), each incorporating a naphthol or resorcinol with an ortho azo functional group, have been studied as metal ion extractants in ABS as a function of pH. In the PEG-2000/ (NH4)2SO4 ABS, the distribution ratios of Fe3+, Co2+ and Ni2- were enhanced by several orders of magnitude at high pH in contrast to the behavior of Cs+, Cd2+ and Eu3+ whose partitioning behavior was largely unaffected by the presence of these extractants at any pH. The three extracted metal ions, Fe3+, Co2+ and Ni2+, could be stripped by contact with a fresh salt phase at low pH.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems: effect of temperature on phase equilibria and on partitioning of 1,10-phenanthroline-copper(II) sulphate complex

Solvent extraction is a proven technology for the selective removal and recovery of metal ions from aqueous solutions: the use of aqueous biphase systems can be attractive for many separation processes. These systems have usually been used previously at temperatures around 25 degrees C; however it is possible that better separations may be achieved at other temperatures: phase diagrams have been determined for a polyethylene glycol (AMW 3350)-ammonium sulphate-water system over the temperature range 269-343 K and the effect of temperature on partitioning has been determined for 1,10-phenanthroline-copper(II) sulphate complex.

Partitioning and concentrating biomaterials in aqueous phase systems

Aqueous phase separation is a general phenomenon which occurs when structurally distinct water-soluble macromolecules are dissolved, above certain concentrations, in water. The number of aqueous phases obtained depends on the number of such distinct macromolecular species used. Aqueous two-phase systems, primarily those containing poly(ethylene glycol) and dextran, have been widely used for the separation of biomaterials (macromolecules, membranes, organelles, cells) by partitioning. The polymer and salt compositions and concentrations chosen greatly affect the physical properties of the phases. These, in turn, interact with the physical properties of biomaterials included in the phases and affect their partitioning. Specific extractions of biomaterials can be effected by including affinity ligands in the systems. The phase systems can also be used to obtain information on the surface properties of materials partitioned in them; to study interactions between biomaterials; and to concentrate such materials.

Partitioning of mercury in aqueous biphasic systems and on ABEC resins

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems (PEG-ABS) can be utilized to separate and recover metal ions in environmental and hydrometallurgical applications. A concurrent study was conducted comparing the partitioning of mercury between aqueous layers in an ABS [Me-PEG-5000/(NH4)2SO4] and partitioning of mercury from aqueous solutions to aqueous biphasic extraction chromatographic (ABEC-5000) resins. In ammonium sulfate solutions, mercury partitions to the salt-rich phase in ABS, but by using halide ion extractants, mercury will partition to the PEG-rich phase after formation of a chloro, bromo or iodo complex. The efficacy of the extractant increases in the order Cl- <Br- <I-. This behavior is also observed using the ABEC resins where halo complexes of mercury will adsorb to the resin from (NH4)2SO4 solutions with retention following the same order. The onset of mercury extraction or adsorption is different for the three extractants, occurring at the lowest extractant concentration for I-, followed by Br-, and then Cl-. Fluoride does not extract mercury. Extraction or adsorption of mercury is improved at the lowest halide concentrations in the presence of sulfuric acid. The addition of sulfuric acid to (NH4)2SO4 solution results in ABEC retention of mercury even in the absence of halide extractant.

Partitioning of small organic molecules in aqueous biphasic systems

Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) are suitable for the separation of small organic molecules in industrial and environmental applications and thus, it is important to correlate partitioning behavior of model organic solutes with their structure in order to develop predictive models. The partitioning behavior of five, uncharged, substituted benzenes (benzene, toluene. chlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene) were studied in ABS prepared from stock solutions of 40% (w/w) PEG-2000 and increasing concentrations of four water-structuring salts (K3PO4, K2CO3, (NH4)2SO4 and NaOH). For a given solute and a defined concentration of salt, the partition coefficients increase as the deltaGhyd value of the salt anion becomes more negative (e.g., Dbenzene increases in the order OH- <SO42- <CO32- <PO43-). In a given salt, the distribution ratios increase in the order benzene<toluene<chlorobenzene< 1,4-dichlorobenzene< 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. The partitioning behavior of the solutes in PEG-salt ABS was found to be strongly correlated with their partitioning coefficients in 1-octanol-water biphasic systems.

Effects of increasing polymer hydrophobicity on distribution ratios of TcO4- in polyethylene/poly(propylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems

The partitioning behavior of the pertechnetate anion was studied in aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) formed from (NH4)2SO4 and four types of polymers-poly)ethylene glycol) PEG, poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), Pluronic (a PEG/PPG block copolymer), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Phase diagrams are reported for five (NH4)2SO4-polymer ABS systems including the polymers PEG-2000, PEG-3400, PEG-12,000, Pluronic-L64 (average molecular mass approximately 2900), and PVP-K15 (average M(r) approximately 10,000). Distribution ratios for the TcO4- anion in each of these ABS were investigated as a function of increasing salt concentration. In addition, the water-insoluble polymer PPG-2000 was studied. Pertechnetate partitions nearly quantitatively to the polymer-rich phase in each ABS, however, distribution ratios of near one were found for the PPG system. The relative ordering of the distribution ratios is PPG << PVP << PEG-2000 < PEG-3400 approximately PEG-12,000 < Pluronic-L64 for the three PEG-ABS systems, distribution ratios of the sulfate anion decrease in the order PEG-2000 > PEG-3400 > PEG-12,000, exhibiting the expected increase in phase incompatibility with increasing polymer M(r). Investigation of pertechnetate partitioning in two additional ABS based on K3PO4 and NaOH with Pluronic-L64 revealed trends similar to those reported for PEG-2000; the distribution ratio (D) values increase in the order NaOH < (NH4)2SO4 < K3PO4. Despite the higher distribution ratios from Pluronic-L64 at lower concentrations than found for PEG, the limited useable range of salt concentrations available may limit the practical utilization of this polymer in ABS separations.

Partitioning behavior of group 1 and 2 cations in poly(ethylene glycol)-based aqueous biphasic systems

The partitioning behavior of several Group 1 and 2 cations was investigated in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based aqueous biphasic systems. All of these metal ions prefer the salt-rich phase over the PEG-rich phase with distribution ratios all well below one regardless of the system investigated. The relative salting-out ability of the individual cations can be directly correlated to their Gibbs free energy of hydration (delta G(hyd)). In addition, the relative magnitude of the distribution ratios for these metal ions can also be explained in terms of delta G(hyd).

Metal ion separations in polyethylene glycol-based aqueous biphasic systems: correlation of partitioning behavior with available thermodynamic hydration data

Solvent extraction utilizing an oil-water mixture (e.g., chloroform-water) and a suitable complexant, is a proven technology for the selective removal and recovery of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Aqueous biphasic systems (ABS), formed by mixing certain inorganic salts and water-soluble polymers, or by mixing two dissimilar water-soluble polymers, have been studied for more than 40 years for the gentle, non-denaturing separation of fragile biomolecules, yet ABS have been virtually ignored as a possible extraction technology for metal ions. In this report we review our metal ion partitioning work and discuss the three major types of partitioning: (1) those rare instances that the metal ion species present in a given solution partitions to the PEG-rich phase without an extractant; (2) the use of halide salts which produce a metal anion complex that partitions to the PEG-rich phase; and (3) the use of a water-soluble extractant which distributes to the PEG-rich phase. In addition, we correlate the partitioning behavior we observed with available thermodynamic data for metal ions and their complexes.