The range of validity of sorption kinetic models.

Several hundred papers are published yearly reporting liquid-phase adsorption kinetics data. In general the data is analyzed using a variety of standard models such as the pseudo first- and second-order models and the Intraparticle-Diffusion model. The validity of these models is often assessed empirically via their ability to fit the data, independently of their physicochemical soundness. The aim of the present paper is to rationalize the analysis of liquid-phase adsorption kinetics data, and to investigate experimental factors that influence the adsorption kinetics, in addition to the characteristics of the adsorbent material itself. For that purpose we use a simple Langmuir adsorption-diffusion model, which enables us to identify three dimensionless numbers that characterize the working regime of any batch adsorption experiment: an adsorption Thiele modulus, a saturation modulus, and a loading modulus. The standard models are found to be particular cases of the general adsorption-diffusion model for specific values of the dimensionless numbers. This provides sound physicochemical criteria for the validity of the models. Based on our modeling, we also propose a general yet simple data analysis procedure to practically estimate the diffusion coefficient in adsorbent pellets starting from adsorption half-times.

Polymer structure and solvent effects on the selective dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Combinations of different aromatic polymers and organic solvents have been studied as dispersing agents for preparing single-walled carbon nanotubes solutions, using optical absorbance, photoluminescence-excitation mapping, computer modeling, and electron microscopic imaging to characterize the solutions. Both the polymer structure and solvent used strongly influence the dispersion of the nanotubes, leading in some cases to very high selectivity in terms of diameter and chiral angle. The highest selectivities are observed using toluene with the rigid polymers PFO-BT and PFO to suspend isolated nanotubes. The specific nanotube species selected are also dependent on the solvent used and can be adjusted by the use of THF or xylene. Where the structure has more flexible conformations, the polymers are shown to be less selective but show an enhanced overall solubilization of nanotube material. When chloroform is used as the solvent, there is a large increase in the overall solubilization, but the nanotubes are suspended as bundles rather than as isolated tubes which leads to a quenching of their photoluminescence.