The adsorption of H2O and D2O on porous polystyrene adsorbents

The adsorption of H₂O and D₂O on porous polymers, Chromosorb-102 (styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer) and MN-200 (supercross-linked polystyrene), was studied by gas chromatography. Test adsorbates used to study the properties of the surface of these polymers were n-alkanes (C₆-C₉), C₆H₆, and the polar compounds CHCl₃, CH₃NO₂, CH₃CN, (CH₃)₂CO, C₂H₅COOCH₃, and (C₂H₅)₂O. The experimental data on the retention of the sorbates were used to determine the contributions of dispersion and specific intermolecular interactions to the total energy of adsorption for the systems studied. The electron donor K _D and electron acceptor K _A characteristics of the surfaces of Chromosorb-102 and MN-200 were determined. The K _D and K _A values obtained allow these polymers to be classified as weakly specific adsorbents with the predominance of electron acceptor properties. The adsorption isotherms of H₂O and D₂O were measured at 55, 67, and 80°C. The dependences of the isosteric heats of adsorption Q _st on adsorption values were determined. The conclusion was drawn that H₂O interacted with the surface of the polymers by the adsorption mechanism, whereas absorption likely made a noticeable contribution to the retention of D₂O.