Distinction between electrostatic and specific adsorption of anions on (hydr)oxide/electrolyte interfaces by application of a radiotracer technique

On the basis of the comparative radiotracer study of the adsorption of sulfate and pertechnetate ions on γ-Al2O3, it is shown that the application of the radiotracer technique allows us to distinguish specific and nonspecific adsorption without the knowledge and the use of quantitative data as to the extent of the adsorption or the surface area of the adsorbent. It is demonstrated that the study of the adsorption of the TcO4 - ion offers a tool for the investigation of electrostatic effects at the Al2O3/electrolyte interface.