Adsorption and Wetting Mechanisms at the Surface of Aqueous Hydrocarbon Solutions as a Possible Source of Atmospheric Pollution

M. Sadiki (1) , F. Quentel (1) , C. Elléouet (1) , R. Olier (1) , M. Privat (1)

1 CEMCA - Chimie, Electrochimie Moléculaires et Chimie Analytique

Hydrocarbons in solutions have been the subject of very few investigations despite their relevance, in particular, in situations where environmental mechanisms are involved. We present, here, a synthesis of several studies conducted within our laboratory about the adsorption, at the water surface, of benzene and cyclohexane from under-saturated solutions. The coadsorption of lead nitrate is also evidenced, though it does not adsorb in absence of organic molecules in the surface. Most of the data reported here were collected from series of measurements made with a very uncommon method: the bubble column; this technique, though being very time-demanding and lacking of userfriendliness, proved its usefulness and relevance in the study of such weakly adsorbable, surface-tension inactive compounds. The study of mixtures is simple and requires no model, which is precious in environmental research. The gathered data demonstrate that, through mechanical mechanisms such as bubbling, coadsorption can lead to the passing from water to the atmosphere of harmful non-soluble, poorly surface-active, components.

Domaines: Physique [physics]

M. Sadiki, F. Quentel, C. Elléouet, R. Olier, M. Privat. Adsorption and Wetting Mechanisms at the Surface of Aqueous Hydrocarbon Solutions as a Possible Source of Atmospheric Pollution. Oil & Gas Science and Technology - Revue d'IFP Energies nouvelles, 2006, 61 (5), pp.661-676. ⟨10.2516/ogst:2006005⟩. ⟨hal-02005878⟩