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Solubilization and separation of p-tert-butylphenol using polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration

Journal Article · · Journal of Colloid and Interface Science; (United States)

Water-soluble polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes, involving oppositely charged species, can form at quite low thermodynamic activities of the surfactant. This fact can be exploited in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration separations, where both molecular organic pollutants and toxic ions are to be removed from contaminated aqueous streams. Investigations have been made of (a) the solubilization and ultrafiltration of solutions of organic solutes in polymer/surfactant solutions, for comparison with studies of micellar surfactant solutions in the absence of added polymers; (b) the penetration of surfactant through the membrane (leakage of monomer) in dialysis and ultrafiltration experiments; and (c) the utility of polyelectrolytes as scavengers'' for surfactant species that-enter the permeate or filtrate in colloid-enhanced ultrafiltration separations. The polyelectrolyte chosen for the studies is sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) and the surfactant is cetylpyridinium chloride (hexadecylpyridinium chloride). A detailed study has been made of the solubilization and separation of p-tert-butylphenol in aqueous mixtures of sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) and cetylpyridinium chloride, at polyelectrolyte to surfactant mole ratios of two to one and three to one.

DOE Contract Number:
FG05-87ER13678; FG22-87FE61146
OSTI ID:
7207407
Journal Information:
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science; (United States) Vol. 163:2; ISSN 0021-9797; ISSN JCISA5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English