ADSORPTION OF 2-(METHYLTHIO)-ETHANOL AT THE MERCURY-WATER INTERFACE

Adsorption of 2-(methylthio)-ethanol (2-MTE) at the mercury/water interface was investigated to examine the possibility of covalent bond formation between the adsorbate and mercury. It was found, at all surface charges, that 2-MTE adsorbed with the sulfur atom on the electrode. The standard free energy of adsorption was determined only to be -17.9 kJ mol-1 at its maximum and was a quadratic function of the surface charge. The partial charge transfer coefficient, determined from the electrosorption valency at zero inner layer potential drop, was a very small value of 0.009. It is concluded from these results that the possibility of covalent bond formation between the sulfur atom of 2-MTE and mercury is negligible. It is considered that polarizability played an important role in the adsorption of 2-MTE. © 1979 Elsevier Sequoia S.A.