THE SORPTION OF ACIDS BY WOOL

Abstract
The amount of acid sorbed by wool from solutions of sulphuric acid of four different strengths (namely, 0.0505, 0.0339, 0.0182, and 0.0101 molar) and containing sodium sulphate in amounts varying up to 0.16 molar has been determined. It has been found that the presence of the salt has little effect on the quantity of acid sorbed within those limits. The results are analyzed in the light of the theory of Gilbert and Rideal but this theory fails to give a satisfactory explanation of the results obtained. It is possible, however, to explain the results of the authors' experiments on the basis of the recent application of the Donnan equilibrium by Peters and Speakman. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation has been applied to data on the absorption of hydrochloric acid and of sulphuric acid by wool. The data appear to fit the Langmuir equation and give, for the maximum combining capacity, values that agree well with those estimated in other ways.