ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Concentration of small acids using complex coacervates

Abstract: Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are widely used chemicals, which serve as precursors for e.g., polymers. These VFAs can be produced through unsustainable petrochemical routes. Fermented wastewater provides a sustainable source of these VFAs, however the concentration of these small acids is low. We use complex coacervates to extract VFAs from the wastewater. Complex coacervates are liquid-like phases consisting of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. We have successfully extracted acetic and butyric acid. The only problem is that it is difficult to recover the acids from these liquids. Complex coacervates with acids have a different viscosity and are optically less transparent than "empty" complex coacervates. We think that this is due to a change of the structure of this dense phase. SANS will help us to understand these changes and help us to find an sustainable way to recover the acids.

Principal Investigator: Dr Saskia Lindhoud
Experimenter: Mr Thomas Brouwer
Local Contact: Dr Robert Dalgliesh
Experimenter: Dr Boelo Schuur

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1869020

ISIS Experiment Number: RB1869020

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Saskia Lindhoud et al; (2019): Concentration of small acids using complex coacervates, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1869020

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.