Desorption Behavior of (Terminal-Functionalized) Polystyrenes from Alumina Surfaces. Studied by the Continuous Elution Method

• Published in: Langmuir 1996-04, Vol.12 (8), p.2015-2018
• Main Authors: Chen, Ming-Hua, Furusawa, Kunio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Solid-liquid interface; Surface physical chemistry; Surface properties
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la941024k

To explore the desorption behavior of polymers from the solid surfaces, a new experimental technique was introduced in this research. We referred to it as the “continuous elution method”. Using this method, the desorption behavior of preadsorbed polystyrene (PS) and polystyrene (PS-X) functionalized by a terminal iminium ion (X) from α- and γ-alumina surfaces was investigated. The particles preadsorbed by PS or PS-X were packed into a small column and eluted by various solvents. Irreversibility of polymer adsorption can be observed clearly, the adsorption/desorption amount can be determined, and much new information on kinetics of desorption, adsorption energy, solvency effect, and etc. was also obtained. On α-alumina, it was found that only the X-group is the driven force for adsorption, and the adsorbed layer has a higher energetic state than that on γ-alumina. A complicated desorption kinetics of polymer desorbed from γ-alumina was observed, which has a relation to the porosity of adsorbent.