EXPERIMENT: ADSORPTION OF ACETIC ACID BY CHARCOAL

(ACTIVATED CARBON)

Adsorption is a separation technique that uses a solid (adsorbent) to adsorb a

solute or adsorbate on its surface. Adsorption by solids is dependent upon
temperature, the nature of the adsorbent and adsorbate. Adsorption from dilute
solution may often be represented successfully by the empirical equation:
1
𝑥
(𝑚) = 𝑘𝑐 𝑛

where x is the amount of solute (moles) adsorbed by m grammes of adsorbent

when the equilibrium concentration in solution is c (moldm-3), k and n are
constants (n>1). To test the validity of the Frendleuch Isotherm, the graph of log
c versus log (x/m) is linear and the slope 1/n.

the Langmuir adsorption isotherm is based on theoretical considerations and

consequently
𝑥 𝑎𝑐
=
𝑚 1+𝑏𝑐

where a and b are experimental constants.

Apparatus

13 g activated charcoal
6 glass-stoppered 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks
5, 10, 25 and 50 ml pipets
Filter paper
0.5 M acetic acid
300 ml 0.1 M sodium hydroxide
Phenolphthalein indicator
50 ml buret
Distilled water

Experimental Procedure

Weigh 2 g charcoal into each of the glass-stoppered Erlenmeyer flasks and

record the weight to ±1 mg.

Prepare a series of acetic acid solutions (NB: Add acetic acid onto water) of
various concentrations according to Table 1.

1
Add 50 ml of each solution to each charcoal sample. Swirl the flasks vigorously
and allow them to stand overnight.

Filter each solution through dry filter paper and collect the filtrates in dry flasks.
Take and titrate a suitable size aliquot (Table 1). Use progressively larger
aliquots for more dilute solutions. Make duplicate titration of each and record
the temperature.

Table 1: Suggested Volumes of 0.5 M Acetic acid to dilute to 50 ml

Sample 0.5 M Acetic acid (ml) Aliquot for analysis

(ml)

1 50 5

2 40 10

3 25 10

4 15 20

5 10 20

6 5 20

7 0 20

Results and Calculations

From titration data (including necessary allowance for the acid titration in
water), determine the concentration of the original acetic acid solution and of
the acid solutions in equilibrium with the adsorbent. From the volume of the
solutions, their concentrations and the original acid concentrations, calculate the
number of moles of acid adsorbed per gram of adsorbent.

Prepare suitable tables of the quantities needed, plot graphs of x/m versus c; log
(x/m) versus log c, and c/(x/m) versus c and test the validity of the Freundlich
and Langmuir isotherms for the aqueous acetic acid charcoal system. Plot the
runs independently for both isotherms and calculate the Freundlich and
Langmuir parameters and discuss the observed results.