Determination of the free energy of adsorption on carbon blacks of a nonionic surfactant from aqueous solutions

The adsorption of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) from aqueous solutions has been studied on six carbon blacks with very different specific surface areas. The surface area occupied per surfactant molecule on the carbon black surface and the free energy of adsorption have been evaluated from the adsorption isotherms. Also, the free energy of adsorption has been determined from the free energy of interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate through water. The results obtained from both methods are in good agreement. They indicate that adsorption progresses following two different processes: the first one deals with the direct interaction between carbon black surface and adsorbate molecules, and the second one mainly due to the interaction between surfactant molecules at the adsorbent-solution interphase.