Separation Science and Technology, Vol.47, No.13, 1957-1962, 2012
Forward and Backward Extraction of Methylene Blue by using AOT/Isooctane Reversed Micellar Solution
Organic dyes, which are contained in industrial effluents, should be removed to avoid health hazards and destruction of the ecosystem. In this study, the extraction of methylene blue from aqueous solution into AOT/isooctane reversed micellar solution was investigated. It was found that methylene blue was solubilized into the waterpool within reversed micelles by electrostatic interaction with AOT. The extraction ratio of methylene blue increased with an increase in AOT concentration and a decrease in salt concentration. The methylene blue extracted reversed micelles could be recovered into fresh salt solution with high concentration. It is considered that the main driving force of forward and backward extraction of methylene blue is electrostatic interaction between cationic dye, methylene blue, and anionic surfactant, AOT. The deterioration of the forward and backward extraction behavior by using AOT/isooctane reversed micellar solution reused was not observed.