Linear isotherms in multicomponent adsorption onto silica gel from organic solvents

Abstract

The linearity and independence of adsorption isotherms of multiple trace components in the presence of a dominant adsorbate, previously found for activated carbon in water and in organic solvents, are also found for silica gel in organic solvents. The systems studied are as follows: (1) n-butyl alcohol, n-hexyl alcohol and n-octyl alcohol in cyclohexane solutions (0.1 and 0.3 mol dm^–3) of ethyl alcohol and (2) n-amyl acetate, cyclohexanone and n-heptyl alcohol in carbon tetrachloride solutions (0.1 and 0.3 mol dm^–3) of methyl ethyl ketone. Isotherms are reported for one, tow and three minor components. The results can be explained in terms of a Langmuir-type mixed-adsorption equation.