The influence of functional groups on the surface acid-base characteristics of carbon blacks

The influence of surface functional groups on the acid-base behavior of several commercial carbon blacks has been analysed by means of the potentiometric titration technique. Two kinds of plots (adsorption density and titration curves) have been developed to derive correlations between acid-base surface properties and functional group strength and amount. Acidic and basic carbons are shown to exhibit either amphoteric behavior according to the Bronsted law or a parabolic-shaped relationship of adsorption density to pH. The data obtained have been interpreted on the basis of several reaction mechanisms and empirical relations. © 1989.