Work and entropy of adhesion at liquid–liquid interfaces and the relationship to salt desorption

Abstract

Works of adhesion of cyclohexane, toluene, chloro-octane and nonan-2-one, with water, have been determined as a function of temperature. From these results, and others in the literature, it is shown that a rectilinear relationship exists between the work and entropy of adhesion. Results for systems where water is replaced by ethan-1,2-diol do not conform to this relationship, and it is concluded that the linearity observed for the aqueous systems is a result of the promotion, by the organic liquids, of interfacial water structure. It is also found that the desorption of NaCl at the aqueous electrolyte–organic liquid interface is less the greater the work of adhesion between water and the organic liquid.