Adsorption - Definition

Definition of Adsorption : The phenomenon of

attracting and retaining the molecules of a substance
on the surface of a Liquid or a solid resulting in the
higher concentration of the molecules on the surface
is called Adsorption.
The substance thus adsorbed on surface is called
Adsorbate and the substance on which it is adsorbed
is called Adsorbent.
Causes of Adsorption
Adsorption arises at the surface of solids as a result
of presence of unbalanced forces at the surface.
These forces develop either during the crystallization
of solids or by virtue of the presence of unpaired e- in
d-orbital.
Characteristics of Adsorption
It is specific and selective in nature.
It is accompanied by decrease in the free energy of
the system. When G becomes zero, Adsorption
equilibrium is established.
Adsorption is spontaneous process therefore change
in free energy (G) for the process is negative.
According to Gibb's Helmhotz equation :
G = H - TS
G = -Ve ; H = -Ve
( it is exothermic process)
And S is -Ve because adhering of gas molecules to
the surface lowers the randomness.
Factors on which adsorption depend
Surface area of Adsorbent :
Greater the surface Area of Adsorbent, greater is the
volume of gas adsorb
Nature of gas being Adsorb :
Higher the critical temperature of gas, greater is the
among of that gas adsorbed.
Temperature :
Adsorption decreases with increase in temperature
and vice - versa.
Pressure :
Adsorption of a gas increase with increase of
pressure because on applying pressure gas
molecules comes close to each other.
Types of Adsorption
Physical Adsorption :
When a gas is bled on the surface of a solid by
Vander wall's forces without resulting in to formation
of any chemical bond between the Adsorbate and
Adsorbent. It is called physical adsorption or vender
wall's adsorption or also known as physicosorption.
Chemical Adsorption :
When a gas is held on the surface of solid by forces
similar to those of a chemical bond, the type of
adsorption is called chemical adsorption or
chemisorptions. It is also known as Longmuir
adsorption.
Freundlich's adsorption isotherm
A graph between the amount adsorbed by an
adsorbent and the equilibrium pressure of the
adsorbate at a constant temperature is called the
Adsorption isotherm.
At low value of p, the graph is nearly straight and
sloping this is represented by follow equation :
or = constant x p1 ------------------ (a)
At higher pressure becomes independent of the
values of p. in this range of pressure :
p0 or = constant x p0 ------------------ (b)
in the intermediate range of pressure, will depend on
p raised to the powers between 1 and 0. i.e. fractions.
For a small range of pressure values, we can write :
------------------- (c)
Adsorption Isobars :
A graph drawn between the amount adsorbed () and
temperature 't' at a constant equilibrium pressure of
adsorbate gas is known as Adsorption isobars.
Physical Adsorption isobar (ii) Chemical
Adsorption isobar.
Application of Adsorption
In preserving vacuum : In Dewar flasks activated
charcoal is placed between the walls of the flask so
that any gas which enter in to the annular space either
due to glass imperfection or diffusion through glass is
adsorbed.
In gas masks : All gas masks are devices containing
suitable adsorbent so that the poiseness gases
present in the atmosphere are preferentially absorbed
and the air for breathing is purified.
In clarification of sugar : Sugar is decolorized by
treating sugar solution with charcoal powder. The
later adsorbs the undesirable colours present.
In softening of hard water : The use of ion
exchangers for softening of hard water is based upon
the principle of competing adsorption just as in
chromatography.
In removing moisture from air in the storage of
delicate instruments : Such instruments which may
be harmed by contact with the moist air, are kept out
of contact with moisture using silica gel.
In Adsorption indicator : Varous dyes, which owe
their use to adsorption, have been introduced as
indicator particularly in precipitation titration. For
example, KBr is easily titrated with AgNo3 using eosin
as indicator.