The adsorption of benzo-15-crown-5 ether from water onto carbon surfaces

Isotherms are reported for the adsorption of water vapor and benzo-15-crown-5 ether from aqueous solution onto one nonporous and three porous carbons. Specific adsorption of water at oxygen-containing sites on the porous carbons was followed by adsorptive aggregation of water molecules on the carbon surfaces and in pores. The adsorption of benzo-15-crown-5 ether was impeded by coadsorbed water and by the steric requirements of narrow pore entrances which denied the large molecules access to surface Within the carbon micropore structure. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.