Predicting adsorption isotherms using a two-dimensional statistical associating fluid theory

A molecular thermodynamics approach is developed in order to describe the adsorption of fluids on solid surfaces. The new theory is based on the statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable range [A. Gil-Villegas et al., J. Chem. Phys. 106, 4168 (1997)] and uses a quasi-two-dimensional approximation to describe the properties of adsorbed fluids. The theory is tested against Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations and excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions is achieved. Additionally the authors use the new approach to describe the adsorption isotherms for nitrogen and methane on dry activated carbon.     

Modeling of binary adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces characterized by a quasi-gaussian adsorption energy distribution

The integral equation (IE) approach coupled with a quasi-Gaussian adsorption energy distribution is used to model the adsorption of single gases and their binary mixture on a heterogeneous solid surface. The adsorbing surface is assumed to be characterized by two, generally different in width, quasi-Gaussian distribution functions, each of them related to a single component of the mixture. The influence of correlations between the distribution functions associated with different components on the corresponding adsorption isotherms and phase diagrams is discussed. In particular, it is demonstrated that a lack of microscopic correlations between the adsorption energies of the components may lead to the formation of an azeotropic mixture. The predictions of the theory are also compared with the results of the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations carried out for the system studied.     

Naphthalene adsorption on activated carbons using solvents of different polarity

The hydrophobic-hydrophilic character of a series of microporous activated carbons was explored as a key factor in competitive adsorption of a non-polar compound from liquid phase. The selectivity of the carbon surface towards naphthalene was explored by performing the adsorption isotherms in water, cyclohexane and heptane. Solvent polarity and adsorbent hydrophobic character were found to strongly influence the adsorption capacity of naphthalene. In aqueous media, despite the non-polar character of the adsorbate, surface acidity lowered adsorption capacity. This is attributed to the competition of water from the adsorption sites, via H-bonding with surface functionalities and the formation of hydration clusters that reduce the accessibility and affinity of naphthalene to the inner pore structure. In organic media the uptake decreased due to competition of the hydrophobic solvent for the active sites of the carbon and to solvation effects. This competitive effect of the solvent is minimized in oxidized carbons as opposed to the trend obtained in aqueous solutions. The results confirmed that although adsorption of naphthalene strongly depends on the narrow microporosity of the adsorbent, competitive adsorption of the solvent for the active sites becomes important.     

Modeling thermodynamic properties of natural gas mixtures using perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory

Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT) was employed for predicting thermodynamic properties of natural gas mixture. Thermodynamic properties like density, isobaric and isochoric heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and internal energy were calculated with the PC-SAFT. Results are validated against experimental data for natural gas and mixtures similar to natural gas. The validation show that the Average Absolute Deviation (AAD) for density is 1.10% for binary mixture and 1.08% for mixtures similar to natural gas. Also AAD value for enthalpy is 1.42%, for internal energy, 0.77, for entropy, 0.43, for isochoric heat capacity, 1.26%, and for isobaric heat capacity, 2.66%. Results show PC-SAFT to be able to predict all the thermodynamics properties of natural gas and mixtures similar to natural gas with high accuracy in a wide range of temperature and pressure.     

Heterogeneous extended langmuir model with multiregion surfaces for adsorption of mixtures

The multiregion or multisite adsorption theory is applied to the heterogeneous extended Langmuir (HEL) model for predicting adsorption from mixtures. A new model, multiregion HEL (MR-HEL), is derived. MR-HEL is thermodynamically consistent. It uses the same three parameters for each component of the mixture as in the HEL model. Examples, including eight binary and one ternary systems, show that both MR-HEL and HEL yield satisfactory results for relatively ideal systems with like components. For nonideal and highly nonideal mixtures, however, MR-HEL reduces the total average deviation for the predicted amount adsorbed for each component by more than 50% in comparison with the original HEL model. The improvement by MR-HEL is significant. Moreover, the new model predicts not only an azeotrope for binary system CO(2)+C(3)H(8) that shows strong nonideal behavior but also the correct azeotropic composition.     

Modeling spreading-pressure-dependent binary gas coadsorption equilibria using gravimetric data

The present work proposes an approach to building nonideal coadsorption models in a thermodynamically consistent fashion, including the effects of pressure and spreading pressure, from simple gravimetric measurements. This is an "inverse problem" of parameter determination from appropriate and limited experimental data.The approach relies on the nonideal adsorbed solution theory, which includes activity coefficients and their dependence on spreading pressure, and on an original form of the excess Gibbs energy of mixing. A fully analytical development leads to explicit relations between the infinite dilution activity coefficients and three sets of independent information: the parameters of this excess Gibbs function, the limiting slopes of measured binary gravimetric curves at two different total pressures, and the properties of the single-component isotherms. From there, the four parameters of the model may be determined quasi-analytically and uniquely. The method is exemplified with the coadsorption of CO(2) and CH(4) on activated carbon, and a heterogeneous set of data. On one hand, the total adsorbed mass of the two components is measured at 1 bar by "incremental gravimetry." On the other hand, data obtained from independent batch-type equilibration measurements at 2 bar allow a comparison of calculated and measured data for the individual component concentrations. It is emphasized, however, that only total adsorbed mass data are needed for application of the method.     

Efficient simulation of binary adsorption isotherms using transition matrix Monte Carlo

Molecular simulations of binary adsorption in porous materials are a useful complement to experimental studies of mixture adsorption. Most molecular simulations of binary adsorption are performed using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) to independently examine a range of state points of interest. A disadvantage of this approach is that it only yields information at a discrete set of state points; therefore, if a complete isotherm is required for arbitrary conditions, some type of data fitting or interpolation must be used in combination with the GCMC data. We show that the transition matrix Monte Carlo (TMMC) method of Shen and Errington (Shen, V. K.; Errington, J. R. J. Chem.Phys. 2005, 122, 064508) is well-suited to simulation of binary adsorption in porous materials. At the completion of a TMMC simulation, the adsorption isotherm for all possible bulk phase compositions and pressures is available without data fitting or interpolation. It is also straightforward to use results from TMMC to compute derivatives of the isotherm such as the mixture thermodynamic correction factors, partial differential ln f(i)/partial differential ln c(j), again without data fitting or interpolation. This approach should be useful in contexts where information on the full adsorption isotherm is needed, such as the design of adsorption- or membrane-based separations.     

Optimization of binary solvents in thin layer chromatography

ΔR_f, the separation between a pair of compounds on a thin layer chromatographic plate, can be predicted as a function of solvent composition for certain binary systems. This allows the prediction of optimum solvent composition for separating a mixture of compounds by thin layer chromatography. A new solvent polarity ranking, based on calculation of ΔR_f is described.     

The coalescence of polystyrene in correlated binary solvents

The solution behavior of solvophobic polymers is crucial to the development of polymer coatings and polymeric drug delivery vehicles. In this article, the role of dipolar interactions is investigated in the solvophobic coalescence of polystyrene in binary correlated polar solvent mixtures. A simple model for coalescence thermodynamics is derived from correlations between thermally rotating dipole moments in the solvent. The stabilizing correlations lost to the solvent due to a solute's presence give rise to a driving force for the coalescence of solutes. This stabilization is offset by the entropy of mixing that favors the dispersion of solutes. Predictions are compared to the measured point of coalescence of polystyrene in acetone when different alcohols are titrated. The model is shown to capture this point of coalescence and conformation for a variety of systems. Our results suggest the significant property determining the solubility of nonpolar polymers in a polar liquid is a free energy resulting from attractive dispersion interactions between thermally rotating solvent dipole moments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 948–955     

Modeling of surface CO oxidation using modified adsorption rules

Lattice models based on modified adsorption and interaction rules are suggested for heterogeneous CO oxidation. The advantage of these models over the conventional model is that they disavow the false prediction that the catalytic surface will be poisoned by oxygen at low CO concentrations in the reaction mixture. In the general case, the way the reaction rate and CO and O coverages vary with CO concentration is sensitive to the choice of adsorption rules.Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 1, 2005, pp. 104–107.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Abramova, Baranov, Dulov.     

Modeling high-pressure adsorption of gas mixtures on activated carbon and coal using a simplified local-density model

The simplified local-density (SLD) theory was investigated regarding its ability to provide accurate representations and predictions of high-pressure supercritical adsorption isotherms encountered in coalbed methane (CBM) recovery and CO2 sequestration. Attention was focused on the ability of the SLD theory to predict mixed-gas adsorption solely on the basis of information from pure gas isotherms using a modified Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state (EOS). An extensive set of high-pressure adsorption measurements was used in this evaluation. These measurements included pure and binary mixture adsorption measurements for several gas compositions up to 14 MPa for Calgon F-400 activated carbon and three water-moistened coals. Also included were ternary measurements for the activated carbon and one coal. For the adsorption of methane, nitrogen, and CO2 on dry activated carbon, the SLD-PR can predict the component mixture adsorption within about 2.2 times the experimental uncertainty on average solely on the basis of pure-component adsorption isotherms. For the adsorption of methane, nitrogen, and CO2 on two of the three wet coals, the SLD-PR model can predict the component adsorption within the experimental uncertainties on average for all feed fractions (nominally molar compositions of 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, and 80/20) of the three binary gas mixture combinations, although predictions for some specific feed fractions are outside of their experimental uncertainties.     

In-situ investigation of the adsorption of globular model proteins on stimuli-responsive binary polyelectrolyte brushes

Binary brushes constituted from two incompatible polymers can be used in the form of ultrathin polymeric layers as a versatile tool for surface engineering to tune physicochemical surface characteristics such as wettability, surface charge, chemical composition, and morphology and furthermore to create responsive surface properties. Mixed brushes of oppositely charged weak polyelectrolytes represent a special case of responding surfaces that are sensitive to changes in the pH value of the aqueous environment and therefore represent interesting tools for biosurface engineering. The polyelectrolyte brushes used for this study were composed of two oppositely charged polyelelctrolytes poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The in-situ properties and surface characteristics such as as surface charge, surface tension, and extent of swelling of these brush layers are functions of the pH value of the surrounding aqueous solution. To test the behavior of the mixed polylelctrolyte brushes in contact with biosystems, protein adsorption experiments with globular model proteins were performed at different pH values and salt concentrations (confinement of counterions) of the buffer solutions. The influence of the pH value, buffer salt concentration, and isoelectric points (IEP) of the brush and protein on the adsorbed amount and the interfacial tension during protein adsorption as well as the protein adsorption mechanism postulated in reference to recently developed theories of protein adsorption on polyelectrolyte brushes is discussed. In the salted regime, protein adsorption was found to be similar to the often-described adsorption at hydrophobic surfaces. However, in the osmotic regime the balance of electrostatic repulsion and a strong entropic driving force, "counterion release", was found to be the main influence on protein adsorption.     

Measurement of activities of solvents in binary polymer solutions

Vapor liquid equilibrium data of nine binary solvent+polymer systems were measured by a vacuum electro-microbalance cell. Tested solvents were n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and water. Polymers were poly (dimethylsiloxane, M_n: 26,000), poly (propylene oxide, M_n: 2000) and poly (ethylene glycol, M_n: 600). Data obtained in the present study together with existing literature data were correlated by UNIQUAC model. Reliability of the experimental apparatus and the data was discussed.     

Ternary complexes in agarose gels prepared from binary solvents

The thermoreversible gelation of agarose has been investigated in four different aqueous binary solvents: Water/dimethyl sulfoxide, water/N,N-dimethylformamide, water/N-methylformamide, and water/formamide. The phase diagrams have been subsequently established as a function of agarose concentration and solvent composition. These diagrams suggest the formation of ternary complexes agarose/water/cosolvent.     

Thermodynamics of solvation of pyridine in methanol-acetonitrile binary solvents

Heats of solution of pyridine (PY) over a range of compositions of methanol-acetonitrile (MeOH-AN) mixed solvents are measured at 298.15 K by calorimetry. Standard enthalpies of transferring PY from MeOH into its mixtures with AN are calculated from the obtained data. It is established that upon moving from methanol to acetonitrile, the solvation of PY becomes less exothermic, and marked changes in the energetics of amine solvation are observed at mole fraction ζ_AN = 0.8–1.0. It is shown that pyridine resolvates in the given range of mixed solvent compositions, predominantly through resolvation of the nitrogen atom in the amine group as a result of a considerable increase in the basicity of the mixed solvent. It is established that in the 0.0–0.8 range of AN mole fractions, PY molecules are predominantly solvated by MeOH molecules.     

Modeling the adsorption of dyes onto activated carbon by using experimental designs

We used experimental design methodologies to obtain the response surface of the adsorption process for three acid dyes used in the dyeing step of a tanning process. The dyes were Acid Red 97, Acid Orange 61 and Acid Brown 425. The adsorption process was evaluated determining the concentrations of individual and total dyes remaining in solution at the end of the process. These concentrations were determined simultaneously in a single step using sequential injection analysis with multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (SIA-MCR-ALS). This method involves fractional factorial designs and the steepest ascent method to find a zone of efficient adsorption and a response surface-modeling step to fit the relevant adsorption factors for the response.     

Modeling associating hydrocarbon + alcohol mixtures using the Peng-Robinson equation of state and the Wong-Sandler mixing rules

The main objective of the study is the accurate modeling of the bubble pressure and of the vapor phase concentration in associating hydrocarbon + alcohol mixtures and the correct comparison with results from the literature. A relatively simple equation of state is used and comparison is done considering various factors that affect the accuracy of the results, so fair and correct conclusions can be drawn. The mathematical complexity of the model, the type and amount of basic properties and the number of adjustable parameters used by the model, among other factors are discussed. The Peng-Robinson equation of state including the Wong-Sandler mixing rules was used. This combination of equations of state and mixing rules have not yet been applied in a systematic way to alcohol + hydrocarbon mixtures at low and moderate pressure, as done in this work, although other complex equation of state models have been used for some selected systems. It is concluded that simple and well-founded models can correlate equilibrium data in these complex mixtures with similar accuracy than other more sophisticated models.     

Saturated adsorption at the surface of binary solutions

Summary In order to examine the relationship between the saturated adsorption and the bulk critical phenomena (micelle formation, phase separation, solubility etc.), the surface tension was measured on the aqueous solutions of homologous sodium alkyl sulfates and pri-alkyl-alcohols. Adsorption isotherms for the solutions which did not possess any critical phenomenon, did not exhibit the saturation, whereas one for the solutions with some critical phenomenon displayed the saturation before the occurence of such a phenomenon in these solutions. From the thermodynamic interpretation, it was found for the alcohol solutions that the activity at the surface in the saturated region reaches the same value as in the bulk after phase separation.

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Zusammenfassung An wäßrigen Lösungen von homologen Natrium alkylsulfaten und Alkyl-Alkoholen wurde die Oberflächenspannung gemessen, um die Beziehung zwischen der Sättigungsadsorption und den kritischen Erscheinungen (Mizellbildung, Phasentrennung, Löslichkeit usw.) zu erklären. Die Adsorptionsisothermen für Lösungen, welche keine kritischen Erscheinungen haben, zeigen keine Sättigung, während diejenigen von Lösungen mit kritischen Erscheinungen vor dem Auftreten derartiger Phänomene eine Sättigung erreichen. Die Aktivität der Alkohole erreicht in der Oberflächenphase des Sättigungsbereiches den gleichen Wert wie in der Volumenphase nach der Phasentrennung