Radiotracer Study of the Specific Adsorption of Anions on Metal Oxides in Acid Media: An Experimental Approach

The specific adsorption of anions (HSO(4)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), and Cl(-)) was studied at Fe(2)O(3), ZnO, and CuO surfaces by the radiotracer technique in strongly acidic medium (1 M HClO(4)). A significant specific adsorption of HSO(4)(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) ions was found in all cases studied while no measurable adsorption of Cl(-) ions was observed. In the cases of ZnO and CuO, the specific adsorption takes place over the course of continuous dissolution of the oxide. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.