Setting the Foundations of Aqueous Three-Phase Systems (A3PS) in the Quest for a Rational Design

Abstract

This work presents the first in-depth study of Aqueous Three-Phase Systems (A3PS) with the main purpose of unveiling their behaviour, hence contributing to the development of this new field. Thus, a complete definition of a quaternary system was carried through by describing all the regions in detail to represent them later on in a regular-tetrahedral diagram. The three aqueous faces of the tetrahedron demonstrated an undeviating influence in the segregation capacity. Furthermore, a method for comparing Aqueous Biphasis Systems (ABS) immiscibilities was set up in order to allow the evaluation and detection of the "limiting ABS" for the three-phase region. Finally, all this information was compiled and utilised to obtain a new strategy for an A3PS rational design, which can be applied with ABS libraries or in an experimental approach. In this sense, this strategy represents an undoubted advance towards future studies and development of A3PS, as this sequential application of the constructed knowledge is assumed to save time and resources.

Keywords: aqueous multiphase systems (MuPS); aqueous three-phase system (A3PS); design method; phase diagrams; sustainable chemistry.