Adsorption from binary liquid mixtures on commercial activated carbons Original Research Article

Adsorption from binary liquid mixtures of completely miscible components of different polarity was studied, in order to characterize the adsorption properties of commercial activated carbons. The excess adsorption isotherms were measured for three binary liquid systems: acetone + n-heptane, acetone + benzene, and benzene + n-heptane on four activated carbons of various ash content. Textural characteristics of the adsorbents were determined on the basis of the adsorption/desorption isotherms of argon at 77.5 K. The relationship between the extent of adsorption from the liquid phase as well as the shape of the adsorption isotherms and various parameters characterizing the investigated activated carbons are discussed. A good agreement is found as far as the actual surface area of the materials is concerned.