New Physicochemical Methodology for the Determination of the Surface Thermodynamic Properties of Solid Particles

The study of the surface thermodynamic properties of solid materials is primordial for the determination of the dispersive surface energy, polar enthalpy of adsorption and Lewis’s acid base properties of solid particles. The inverse gas chromatography technique (IGC) at infinite dilution is the best surface technique for the determination of the surface physicochemical properties of materials. (1) Background: This paper was devoted to studying the surface properties of solid materials, such as alumina, titania and silica particles, using the IGC technique. (2) Methods: Different methods and molecular models, such as the spherical, cylindrical, Van der Waals, Redlich–Kwong, Kiselev and geometric models, were used to determine the London dispersive surface energy of solid surfaces. The Hamieh model was also used and highlighted the thermal effect on the surface area of solvents. (3) Results: The variations of the dispersive surface energy and the free energy of adsorption were determined for solid particles as a function of the temperature, as well as their Lewis’s acid base constants. Alumina surfaces were proved to exhibit a strong Lewis amphoteric character three times more basic than acidic, titanium dioxide more strongly basic than acidic and silica surface exhibited the stronger acidity. (4) Conclusions: The new methodology, based on the Hamieh model, gave the more accurate results of the physicochemical properties of the particle surfaces.