Abstract
WITHIN recent years considerable doubt has been cast upon the validity of the Gibbs adsorption isotherm as applied to aqueous solutions of the paraffin–chain salts (soaps and soap–like molecules)1,2. The chief objection has been, the numerous well–established examples of dilute solutions showing a minimum in the surface tension – concentration curve, usually at a surface tension of 30–35 dynes, presenting the paradox of a surface tension very much lower than that of water, and yet a zero or negative surface excess of solute as calculated from the Gibbs equation when applied in the customary manner.
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References
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Alexander, in the press.
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ALEXANDER, A. Application of the Gibbs Adsorption Equation to Solutions of Paraffin–Chain Salts. Nature 148, 752 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/148752a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/148752a0
