Measurement and correlation of phase diagram data for acetone and sulfate aqueous two-phase systems at different temperatures

•The phase diagrams of acetone–sulfate ATPSs were determined experimentally.•The experiential equations were used to correlate the binodal data and tie-line data.•The effect of salt on the phase diagram for the studied systems has been discussed.•The effect of temperature on the phase diagram for the studied systems has been discussed.•The phase-separation ability of acetone has been discussed.

The binodal curves and tie-lines for the aqueous two-phase systems composed of acetone and (NH4)2SO4/Li2SO4/MgSO4/ZnSO4 at different temperatures were given and correlated by the empirical equations that give satisfactory fitting effect. Through the analysis of the phase diagram, the values of exclude effective volume (EEV) and salting-out coefficient, it was found that the salting-out abilities of the salts containing divalent cation are stronger than those with monovalent cation on the premise that they contain same anion and lie at the same temperature. Accordingly, the salt composed of divalent cation has stronger phase-separation ability. Moreover, the effect of temperature (288.15 K, 298.15 K, 308.15 K) on the phase diagram was studied and it was found that temperature has little influence on the phase diagram for the investigated systems. Finally, the comparison of the binodal curves of the three systems shows that the phase-separation ability of acetone is between ethanol and 1-propanol.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide