THE SORPTION OF VAPORS BY ACTIVE SILICA
The sorptive properties of a new active silica have been examined. This sorbent is prepared by the action of acids on the mineral serpentine. The quartz spiral sorption balance has been employed to obtain isotherms for water, benzene and alcohol. Relative rates of sorption have been measured and compared with those for silica gel.Efficiency measurements have also been made, using the dynamic method, with water vapor as the sorbate. Comparative measurements have been carried out on commercial silica gel, and data are cited from the literature for activated alumina. A comparison of the data indicates that active silica is inferior to silica gel but somewhat better than commercial alumina. Its simple method of production combined with reasonably good sorptive properties should result in a cheap and effective sorbent for technical purposes.The type of isotherm exhibited by active silica is similar to that associated with the "chalky" gels described by Holmes. Certain theoretical aspects of sorption by "chalky" and "vitreous" gels are discussed.