WATER SORPTION ON MESOPOROUS ALUMINOSILICATE MCM-41

Characterization of the interaction of water with the highly ordered m esoporous solid MCM-41 (pore diameter similar to 2.5 nm) is undertaken with the aid of several techniques (adsorption gravimetry, X-ray diff raction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and controlled rate- evolved gas analysis). The relatively complex water-MCM-41 interaction s are characterized by a type V isotherm indicating an initial repulsi ve character followed by a capillary condensation step of the adsorbat e. This highlights both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of this potential model mesoporous adsorbent.