Abstract
The tungsten adsorption isotherm from aqueous solutions of sodium tungstate on to alumina at 20°C has been studied. The isotherm shape was in agreement with that predicted by the classic Langmuir equation. This model was therefore fitted to the experimental data in order to determine the adsorption equilibrium constant and the total concentration of adsorption sites.
Kinetic parameters of adsorption were also determined. To do so, a theoretical model that predicts the tungsten concentration profiles in impregnated thin layers was fitted to the experimental profiles.
The diffuse reflectance spectra of dried samples used for isotherm determination and of thin alumina layers impregnated with tungsten solutions exhibit a band at 215 nm which is accompanied by a shoulder at 250 nm. For samples having a greater tungsten concentration, the shoulder develops and then transforms into a second band. The maximum at the lowest wavelength (first maximum) is assumed to correspond to tungsten in a tetrahedral coordination (monomeric species) while the second maximum is due to distortion in the tetrahedral symmetry caused by strong interactions between the support and the monomeric species.
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