Isotherms of poly(ethylene glycol) adsorption from aqueous solutions by carbon adsorbents

Isotherms of adsorption of poly(ethylene glycols) PEG300, PEG6000, and PEG15 000 from aqueous solutions on graphitized carbon black and active carbon were measured at 25degreesC. Isotherms of excess adsorption of PEG6000 and PEG15 000 from aqueous solutions on both adsorbents were characterized by a distinct maximum. Comparison of adsorption isotherms for PEG6000 and PEG 15 000 on a mesoporous AU-87 carbon testified to the existence of a sieve effect upon the adsorption of large PEG15 000 macromolecules in the accessible pores of this adsorbent. The analysis of the dependence of maximal adsorption values on the PEG molecular mass indicated a possible unfolding of macromolecular coils in the field of adsorption forces. As a result, all oxygen and carbon atoms of PEG macromolecules in a monolayer tend to approach active sites on the surface of a carbon adsorbent. The calculated values of thickness of dense adsorption monolayers of PEG300, PEG6000, and PEG 15 000 lie within 0.36-0.63 nm for both adsorbents. PEG300 adsorption monolayers also contain, in addition to macromolecules, molecules of a solvent (water).