Surface-induced electrolytic dissociation of oxalic acid in polar organic solvents

Abstract

The presence of titania powder (chiefly anatase) enhanced electrolytic dissociation of oxalic acid in lower aliphatic alcohols (but not in water). The surface-induced dissociation was manifested in enhanced electric conductance of a dispersion containing solvent, oxalic acid, and titania, which was substantially higher than the conductance of dispersion containing only solvent and titania and of solution of oxalic acid in that solvent. This phenomenon can be applied to control the electrokinetic potential of particles in polar organic solvents. © 2009 American Chemical Society.