Adsorption of d-, l-, and Dl-Phenylalanines at the Mercury–Aqueous Solution Interface

The adsorption of d-, l-, and Dl-phenylalanines at the mercury-aqueous sodium fluoride solution interface has been studied by measuring differential capacities, potentials of zero charge, pzc, and surface tensions at the pzc. The racemate of phenylalanine showed higher surface activity than the enantiomers. This difference has been interpreted in terms of the intermolecular interactions, orientation and re-orientation of adsorbed molecules at the interface.