Adsorption and enthalpy of phenol on BPL carbon Original Research Article

The displacement process of adsorption of phenol from aqueous solution on carbons with various surface properties has been studied using a flow calorimeter. The carbon surface was oxidised, chlorinated and treated with ethylene. The enthalpy of exchange of water with phenol was measured along with the quantitative uptake of phenol on a column of carbon from a flowing solution. It was determined that the uptake of phenol was primarily a pore filling phenomenon and surface alterations must be severe to have a significant influence on the enthalpy.