Phase separation in non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 solutions in the presence of phenol

The influence of concentration conditions and acidity on the phase separation in non-ionic surfactants Triton X-100 solutions in the presence of phenol was investigated. It was shown that the addition of small amounts of phenol results in the decrease of the cloud point temperature of Triton X-100 solutions. On the other hand, the addition of phenol into the investigated system resulted in the decrease of the hydration values of surfactant-rich phases and the increase of their hydrophobicity. The extraction degree and distribution coefficient of phenol between the water and the surfactant-rich phases were studied. On the basis of data obtained the molar parts of water, phenol and Triton X-100 in the non-ionic surfactant-rich phases formed at different concentration conditions were calculated. Possibilities of the application of phenol-induced micellar extraction for microcomponents preconcentration were estimated.