Abstract
Rayleigh interferometry is a precise macroscopic gradient technique that has been utilized for the determination of multicomponent diffusion coefficients. Because concentration gradients in multicomponent systems drive a diffusion-based partial separation of different solutes, this interferometric technique may be potentially used for the determination of solute concentrations. We have therefore theoretically examined how Rayleigh interferometry can be applied for the determination of composition of ternary aqueous mixtures. The effect of cross-term diffusion coefficients on the accuracy of this method is also discussed. Furthermore, since the poly(vinyl)alcohol+poly(ethylene)glycol+water system undergoes liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), we have experimentally characterized its LLPS boundary at 25 °C. The corresponding tie-lines were characterized by determining the composition of the two coexisting liquid phases using Rayleigh interferometry.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are in debt with John G. Albright and Donald G. Miller for their invaluable assistance with the Gosting diffusiometer throughout these past years. Alessandro Molisso thanks Ornella Ortona, Roberto Sartorio and Luigi Paduano for their support and guidance. This work was supported by the TCU Research and Creative Activity Funds.
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Molisso, A., Annunziata, O. Composition of Coexisting Liquid Phases Determined by Rayleigh Interferometry. J Solution Chem 43, 126–134 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-013-0065-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-013-0065-z