Diffusion-controlled adsorption-desorption of C6 hydrocarbons by multiwall carbon nanotubes

The adsorption-desorption of n-hexane, cyclohexane, and benzene on multiwall carbon nanotubes is investigated using the quartz crystal microbalance technique. Desorption kinetics is found to be diffusion-controlled. The standard Fickian diffusion models for short and long times have been applied to quantify the desorption kinetics. Considering surface diffusion as a rate-limiting step of desorption, the estimated surface diffusion coefficients for all hydrocarbons are of order 10(-14) m(2)/s. This is an order of magnitude lower compared to surface diffusion coefficient on various carbon materials. The surface diffusion coefficient increases with an increase in surface loading.

Automated summary

The adsorption-desorption of n-hexane, cyclohexane, and benzene on multiwall carbon nanotubes was investigated using the quartz crystal microbalance technique. The desorption kinetics was found to be diffusion-controlled, and the surface diffusion coefficient increases with surface loading.