Shape-selective adsorption of aromatic molecules from water by tetramethylammonium-smectite

Jiunn Fwu Lee, Max M. Mortland, Stephen A. Boyd, Cary T. Chiou

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158 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The adsorption of aromatic compounds by smectite exchanged with tetramethylammonium (TMA) has been studied. Aromatic compounds adsorbed by TMA-smectite are assumed to adopt a tilted orientation in a face-to-face arrangment with the TMA tetrahedra. The sorptive characteristics of TMA-smectite were influenced strongly by the presence of water. The dry TMA-smectite showed little selectivity in the uptake of benzen, toluene and xylene. In the presence of water, TMA-smectite showed a high degree of selectivity based on molecular size/shape, resulting in high uptake of benzene and progressively lower uptake of larger aromatic molecules. This selectivity appeared to result from the shrinkage of interlamellar cavities by water.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2953-2962
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions 1: Physical Chemistry in Condensed Phases
Volume85
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1989 Dec 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry(all)

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