While decreased surface charge should reduce charge-charge repulsion between KI8 monomers, the net effect appears to be increased solubility and stability of the monomeric form of KI8. At higher (>10 mM) concentrations of HEPES as well as CAPS buffers, the buffers act predominantly as classic kosmotropes, increasing the tendency of KI8 to undergo phase separation by disrupting hydrophobic hydration.