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Surfactin Self‐Assembles into Direct and Reverse Aggregates in Equilibrium and Performs Selective Metal Cation Extraction
Author(s) -
Déjugnat Christophe,
Diat Olivier,
Zemb Thomas
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201100094
Subject(s) - micelle , surfactin , chemistry , phase (matter) , extraction (chemistry) , aqueous two phase system , aqueous solution , copper , metal , liquid–liquid extraction , pulmonary surfactant , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , chromatography , organic chemistry , biology , bacteria , bacillus subtilis , engineering , genetics , biochemistry
Abstract On tie‐lines between water‐rich and alkane‐rich solutions, it is shown via scattering experiments that natural lipopeptide surfactin self‐assembles into direct and reverse micelles in equilibrium. Elongated direct micelles in the aqueous phase are present together with small reverse globular aggregates in the organic phase. These latter are made from hydrated surfactant without any “water pool” in the organic phase. The resulting biphasic system is used for liquid–liquid extraction of model metal cations. It is efficient with iron but not with copper or neodymium. Competitive extractions show high selectivity towards iron.