Effect of the pH-zero point of charge relationship on the interaction of ionic compounds and polyols with aluminum hydroxide gel.

The adsorption of magnesium nitrate, docusate sodium, and mannitol by chloride-containing aluminum hydroxide gel or aluminum hydroxycarbonate gel can be directly related to the surface charge characteristics of the aluminum hydroxide gel as determined by the pH-zero point of charge (ZPC) relationship. Magnesium cation is completely adsorbed under pH conditions where the gel has a negative surface charge, i.e. when the pH is above the ZPC. Docusate sodium is more strongly adsorbed when the pH-ZPC relationship causes the surface charge of aluminum when the pH-ZPC relationship causes the surface charge of aluminum hydroxycarbonate gel to be positive indicating adsorption of the docusate anion. However, adsorption also occurred when the pH was above the ZPC suggesting that adsorption of the hydrophobic portion of docusate anion by van der Waals forces also contributes to the overall adsorption mechanism. Mannitol is adsorbed under all pH conditions. However, greater adsorption occurs when the pH is above the ZPC. Maximum hydrogen bonding is believed to occur when mannitol acts as the proton donor and the negative aluminum hydroxycarbonate gel surface serves as the proton acceptor.