An investigation into the mechanism of the adsorption of phosphate onto mica and other surfaces

Abstract

The work described in this thesis involves an investigation into the desorption of P-32 orthophosphate from the 001 cleavage plane of muscovite mica, and is an attempt to understand the fundamental chemical phenomena underlying the retention of anions by this, and other surfaces. Most of the investigations into surface chemistry have dealt with phenomena occurring at solid/gas or solid/vapour interfaces and solid/liquid surface phenomena have been relatively neglected. The reason for this undoubtedly lies in the easier interpretation of phenomena occurring in the former systems. However, the phenomena occurring at solid/liquid surfaces are very important from both a chemical and a physical viewpoint. Crystal growth, the dissolving of salts, electrolysis of solutions and reactions between solids and solutions, all occur at solid/liquid interfaces and although the solid and liquid states may be well understood, little is known of the species present at the surface and the reactions that these undergo.