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The interaction of carbenium ion pairs with silica is studied by means of UV-spectroscopy, electrokinetic and adsorption measurements using triphenylmethyl derivatives, (RCH)CX, (X=F, Cl, Br, SCN, OH; R=Cl, I, H, CH, C(CH), OCH, N(CH)) in interaction with silica particles suspended in 1,2-dichloroethane. The adsorption of triarylmethyl-halides onto silica is accompanied by the heterolytic dissociation of the tertiary carbonhalogen bond. The degree of ionization depends on the basicity of the counter anion and acidity of the cation, respectively. The influences of both concentration and structure of triarylmethyl halides on the zeta-potential are discussed with regard to steric and electronic factor. The zeta-potential values of the adsorbates decrease significantly, as compared with the free silica surface, from a certain triarylmethyl halide concentration where ionization takes place, to a constant level which is characteristic of the carbenium ion pair. These constant zeta-potential values of the adsorbates depend on the basicity of the counter ion and the σ Hammett constants of the ring substitutents, with exclusion of sterically hindered substituents and salt derivatives, e.g., crystal violet and malachite green. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]