K. Vermohlen et al., Adsorption of polyelectrolytes onto oxides - the influence of ionic strength, molar mass, and Ca2+ ions, COLL SURF A, 163(1), 2000, pp. 45-53
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Journal title
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
The paper presents results concerning the adsorbate structure and the adsor
ption mechanism of polyelectrolytes (polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid
and humic acid) onto the oxides gibbsite, goethite and alumina. The invest
igations deal with the influence of different parameters such as ionic stre
ngth, divalent cations and molar mass of the polyacids. The observed adsorp
tion isotherms of every polyacid all show the same high affinity type typic
al of polymer adsorption. The maximum adsorbed amount is correlated linearl
y with the proton charge density sigma(H) of the oxides at low ionic streng
th of 0.01 M NaCl. During the adsorption process the surface charge of the
oxides turns from positive to negative. An increase in the ionic strength o
r the addition of divalent cations causes an increase of the maximum adsorb
ed amount of polyacid. Due to higher ionic strength or divalent cations the
repulsion of the negatively charged polyelectrolyte segments is reduced. T
herefore loops and tails in the adsorption layer are stabilized. Additional
ly, the increase of the maximum adsorbed amount with ionic strength indicat
es a chemical bond between polyacid and surface. Irrespective of molar mass
, polyacrylic acid adsorbs in a flat conformation if the ionic strength is
low. Above a certain threshold of the ionic strength higher molar masses ar
e better adsorbed than lower ones. Under these conditions the polyacrylic a
cid adsorbs in a coiled conformation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri
ghts reserved.