Multilayer adsorption with variable thickness at solid-liquid interfaces

 The multilayer adsorption on the solid/liquid interface in binary mixtures was studied by adsorption space filling with constant and variable layer thickness. Adsorption from benzene/n-heptane mixtures was examined on hydrophilic and hydro-phobic surfaces. The free enthalpy of adsorption, Δ₂₁ G=f (x ₁), was calculated from the adsorption excess isotherm by integration of the Gibbs equation. Supposing that the free enthalpy is mainly due to adsorption in the first layer, the composition of this layer can be calculated from the Δ₂₁ G=f (x ₁) function. It was established that the adsorption layer thickness in benzene/heptane mixtures increases significantly with increasing benzene content. This statement was supported by X-ray diffraction on hydrophobic clay minerals. Received: 2 April 1997 Accepted: 10 June 1997