An analytical method for the in situ characterization of complex surfaces has been developed, validated and shown to be applicable in studying surfaces of importance in chromatography, geochemistry and catalysis. The method, "Heterogeneous Gas-Solid Chromatography (HGSC)," is rooted in present theories pertaining to chromatographic processes at finite concentration and pertaining to physical adsorption at heterogeneous surfaces. Fron HGSC, the complete distribution ("fingerprint") of adsorbate/adsorbent interaction energies, and hence the nature and quantity of surface active sites, can be inferred. / In the method's present state of development, the acidic, basic and dipolar sorptive characteristics of complex solid surfaces are determined by the use of solute probes capable of these specific interactions. From the energy distribution functions for each solute probe/surface combination, the energy required to form a monolayer has been calculated, and a surface polarity scale and surface selectivity triangle determined. The general acidity of a silica surface, the basicity and acidity of an alumina surface, the sorptive properties of a kaolinite surface, and the homogeneity of a graphitized carbon surface have all been monitored with the HGSC technique. Furthermore, applications in studying the sorptive properties of HPLC bonded phases, the sorptive properties of geochemically important soil organic matter and its subfractions, and the sorptive properties of thermally and chemically modified silica gels, have all been shown. This latter area is an example of the type of application in which the technique shows its greatest promise, the ability to quickly and inexpensively monitor the adsorptive properties of materials whose surfaces have been altered in some manner. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-03, Section: B, page: 0729. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76083 |
| Contributors | BOUDREAU, SCOTT PARKER., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 287 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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