ICAR Research Data Repository for Knowledge Management

The slow rate of demixing is a major limitation in wide commercial exploitation of aqueous two-phase systems. In the present
work, use of a microwave field has been explored for the first time to enhance phase demixing rates (decrease demixing times) of
these systems. The microwave-field-assisted demixing process decreased the demixing time by about 2- to 4-fold in a polyethylene
glycol/potassium phosphate system and by about 1.5- to 6.5-fold in a polyethylene glycol/maltodextrin system. The enhanced demixing
rate can be explained by the dipole rotation, electrophoretic migration of free salts, multiple reflections at the interfaces,
droplet–droplet collision, and reduced viscosity of the continuous phase that occur during the application of a microwave field.