Adsorption of cationic surfactants on silica surface: 1. Adsorption isotherms and surface charge

Adsorption isotherms of cationic surfactant, dodecylpyridinium chloride, on an Aerosil OX50 and isotherms of surface charge against the background of 0.001- and 0.1-M KCl solutions at pH 7 and 9 were measured and analyzed. Different forms of adsorption isotherms of surfactants at low and high electrolyte concentrations are explained from differences in the formation of the surface charge of Aerosil. Comparison of the isotherms of surfactant adsorption and surface charge allowed us to make conclusions about the surfactant orientation and structure of an adsorption layer, as well as to determine the fraction of surfactant molecules in the first and second adsorption layers.