The surface properties of polystyrene were investigated by inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution region. The standard enthalpy (DH 0 ), entropy (DS 0 ) and free energy (DG 0 ) of adsorption were calculated for the adsorption of n-alkanes (n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, n-decane) and some polar probes (acetone, ethyl acetate, DCM, chloroform, THF) on polystyrene. Additionally, the dispersive (London) component of the surface free energy (c S d ), surface Lewis acidity (K A ) and Lewis basicity (K D ) of polystyrene surface were determined. The values obtained for K A and K D by three different methods demonstrate that polystyrene surface has a basic nature.

In this study, adsorption of some hydrocarbons on polystyrene was investigated with inverse gas chromatography. An experimental study was carried out above glass transition temperature. Thermodynamic parameters belonging to the polymer-solute system, weight fraction activity coefficients, Flory-Huggins interaction parameter and solubility parameter for solute and polymer were calculated from the obtained data. The results were discussed with respect to the changes in hydrocarbon's carbon number and temperature.