Abstract
This paper describes the hydrophobic effect in the process of adsorption of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides from aqueous solution on to an activated carbon surface. Measurements of the adsorption isotherms of a series of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides with different hydrocarbon tail lengths at the activated carbon surface were carried out. In order to investigate the temperature dependence of the adsorption process, the determination of the adsorption of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was undertaken at different temperatures in the range 20–60°C. From the experimental results obtained, the relevant thermodynamic quantities have been calculated. The role played by the hydrophobic effect in the adsorption process of cationic surfactants on to activated carbon and the factors affecting the adsorption mechanism were discussed.
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