Kinetics of adsorption of oxalic acid on different titanium dioxide samples

FTIR-ATR kinetic studies on the adsorption of oxalic acid on different TiO(2) films were performed. The particulate films were obtained through the evaporation of TiO(2) suspensions. The evolution of the IR bands followed a pseudo-first-order behavior, as previously observed. Systematic studies as a function of the oxalic acid concentration afforded the specific rate constant for adsorption (k(a)) and desorption (k(d)). The influence of physical parameters of the samples, i.e., specific BET area, crystalline domain size, TiO(2) load, film area, and pore size, on the kinetic parameters k(a) and k(d) was analyzed. A mechanism in which the adsorption and desorption processes are controlled by the diffusion through the pores of the films is proposed (intraparticle diffusion). It is concluded that all the samples behave in the same way. Thicker films or those with smaller particle size (higher specific surface area, smaller pores) show the slowest rates of adsorption and desorption. These results are relevant for the design of efficient heterogeneous catalysts and sensors, and for the interpretation of pollutant adsorption.