Acoustic field assisted demixing of aqueous two-phase polymer systems

Abstract

Acoustic field assisted demixing was employed to decrease the demixing time in polymer–polymer (polyethylene glycol–maltodextrin) two-phase system. Application of acoustic field has decreased the demixing time in these systems up to 2-fold. Ultrasonication has induced mild circulation currents in the phase dispersion, which has enhanced the rate of droplet coalescence, eventually resulting in decreased demixing time. In polymer-polymer systems, phase demixing was found to depend greatly on which of the phases is continuous and viscosity of the continuous phase was observed to have a strong influence on the movement of the droplets and hence the phase demixing. Addition of NaCl increased the demixing time and presence of E.coli cells did not seem to have any influence on phase demixing.