Liquid adsorption of n-octane/octanol/ethanol on SBA-16 silica

SBA-16 silica samples with cubic Im3¯m symmetry were synthesized according to methods reported in literature and characterized by nitrogen adsorption and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption behavior of the n-octane(1)/octanol(2), n-octane(1)/ethanol(3), and octanol(2)/ethanol(3) binary liquid mixtures on SBA-16 was studied over the whole concentration range at 25 °C. Inverted U-shape isotherms were found and described by mathematical functions. The experimental binary data were verified by using a consistency test for the specific free wetting energies on the liquid/solid interface. The ternary adsorption excess isotherms of n-octane(1)/octanol(2)/ethanol(3) at 25 °C were predicted from the binary data. The work presents the first complete and consistent tabular set of binary liquid adsorption data for creating ternary data on ordered mesoporous silica.

Graphical abstractNew experimental results in adsorption of binary liquid mixtures on SBA-16 mesoporous silica are presented. The high adsorption excesses measured promise application of SBA-16 in separation and cleaning processes. Ternary adsorption excesses on SBA-16 are predicted.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide