Alkali chlorides-induced phase separation of acetonitrile-water mixtures studied by small-angle neutron scattering

Alkali chlorides (MCl, M=Li+, Na+, and K+) -induced phase separation of acetonitrile-water mixtures at 298 K has been investigated. Phase diagrams of acetonitrile-H2O-MCl systems have shown that phase separation of the mixtures occurs at lower salt concentration in the order of NaClKCl>LiCl, which is in agreement with the order of phase separation. Based on the present results, mechanisms of LiCl-, NaCl-, and KCl-induced phase separation of acetonitrile-water mixtures have been discussed. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.