The adsorption behaviour of anionic naphthalene derivatives at the gra
phite-aqueous solution interface has been studied at 25 degrees C at p
H 7 and an ionic strength of 0.05 M. The orientation and packing of th
e adsorbates is strongly dependent upon the number and type of functio
nal groups attached to the aromatic rings. A thermodynamic analysis ha
s been used to evaluate quantitatively the adsorbate-adsorbent and ads
orbate-adsorbate interactions. These interactions are related to the c
hemical structure of the adsorbate anions.