Certificate

This is to certify that Chaitanya

Gaur of class XII C has successfully
completed the investigatory
Project on "Freundlich Adsorption
Isotherm"
 Aim
Evaluate the adsorption of oxalic acid on the
activated charcoal in dependence on the oxalic acid
concentration. Determine the isotherm describing
this action.
 Introduction
Adsorption:
The molecules of gases or liquids or the solutes in solutions get
adhered to the surface of the solids. In adsorption process two
substances are involved. One is the solid or the liquid on which
adsorption occurs and it is called adsorbent. The second is the
adsorbate, which is the gas or liquid or the solute from a
solution which gets adsorbed on the surface.
Adsorbent: The substance on whose surface the adsorption
occurs is known as adsorbent.
Adsorbate: The substance whose molecules get adsorbed on
the surface of the adsorbent (i.e. solid or liquid) is known as
adsorbate.
Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm:
In 1909, Freundlich expressed an empirical equation for
representing the isothermal variation of adsorption of a
quantity of gas adsorbed by unit mass of solid adsorbent with
pressure. This equation is known as Freundlich Adsorption
Isotherm
 THEORY

Adsorption of oxalic acid on activated charcoal

The molecules of gases or liquids or the solutes in solutions get

adhered to the surface of the solids. In adsorption process two
substances are involved. One is the solid or the liquid on which
Adsorption occurs and it is called adsorbent. The second is the
adsorbate, which is the gas or liquid or the solute from a
solution which gets adsorbed on the surface.
Adsorbent: The substance on whose surface the adsorption
occurs is known as adsorbent.
Adsorbate: The substance whose molecules get adsorbed on
the surface of the adsorbent (i.e. solid or liquid) is known as
adsorbate.

Adsorption is different from absorption. In absorption, the

molecules of a substance are uniformly distributed in the bulk
of the other, whereas in adsorption molecules of one substance
are present in higher concentration at the surface of the other
substance.
Types of adsorption:
Depending upon the nature of forces existing between
adsorbate molecules and adsorbent, the adsorption can be
classified into two types:
1. Physical adsorption (physisorption): If the force of attraction
existing between adsorbate and adsorbent are Vander Waal’s
forces, the adsorption is called physical adsorption. It is also
known as Vander Waal’s adsorption. In physical adsorption the
force of attraction between the adsorbate and adsorbent are
very weak, therefore this type of adsorption can be easily
reversed by heating or by decreasing the pressure.
2. Chemical adsorption (chemisorption): If the force of
attraction existing between adsorbate and adsorbent are
almost same strength as chemical bonds, the adsorption is
called chemical adsorption. It is also known as Langmuir
adsorption. In chemisorption the force of attraction is very
strong, therefore adsorption cannot be easily reversed.
Comparison between Physisorption and Chemisorption
Physisorption
Low heat of adsorption usually
in the range of 20-40 kJ/mol
Force of attraction are Van der
Waal's forces
It usually takes place at low
temperature and decreases
with increasing temperature
It is reversible
It is related to the ease of
liquefaction of the gas
It is not very specific
It does not require any
activation energy
Chemisorption
High heat of adsorption in the
range of 40-400 kJ mol-1
Forces of attraction are
chemical bond forces
It takes place at high
temperature
It is irreversible
The extent of adsorption is
generally not related to
liquefaction of the gas
It is highly specific
It requires activation energy
Factors affecting adsorption:
The extent of adsorption depends upon the following factors:
1. Nature of adsorbate and adsorbent.
2. The surface area of adsorbent.
3. Activation of adsorbent.
4. Experimental conditions. Temperature, pressure...

Adsorption Isotherm:
Adsorption process is usually studied through graphs known as
adsorption isotherm. That is the amount of adsorbate on the
adsorbent as a function if its pressure or concentration at
constant temperature .The quantity adsorbed is nearly always
normalized by the mass of the adsorbent to allow comparison
of different materials.
Basic Adsorption Isotherm:
From the graph we can predict that after saturation pressure Ps,
adsorption does not occur anymore, that is there are limited
numbers of vacancies on the surface of the adsorbent. At high
pressure a stage is reached when all the sites are occupied and
further increase in pressure does not cause any difference in
adsorption process. At high pressure, adsorption is independent
of pressure.

Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm:

Freundlich expressed an empirical equation for representing the
isothermal variation of adsorption of a quantity of gas adsorbed
by unit mass of solid adsorbent with pressure. This equation is
known as Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm

x-----amount of adsorbate
m----weight of the adsorbent
p----pressure
k and n are constants whose values depend upon the adsorbent
and the gas at particular temperature.
The Freundlich Isotherm Curve:

Take the logarithms of a first equation:

Hence, if a graph of log x / m is plotted against log p, it will be a

straight line.
From this the value of slope equal to 1/n and the value of
intercept equal to log k can be obtained. If the graph of log x/m
against log p comes out to be a straight line, it can be assured
that the Freundlich adsorption isotherm is satisfied for this
system
The Freundlich adsorption isotherm holds true by replacing
pressure with concentration in solutions

Adsorbents:
The material upon whose surface the adsorption takes place is
called an adsorbent. Activated carbon is used as an adsorbent.
Adsorbents are used usually in the form of spherical pellets,
rods or monoliths.
They must have high abrasion resistance, high thermal stability
and small pore diameters, which results in higher exposed
surface area and hence high surface capacity for adsorption.
The adsorbents must also have a distinct pore structure which
enables fast transport of the gaseous vapours.
Chemical equation used:

2 MnO4- + 5 H2C2O4 + 6H+ ---------> 2 Mn2+ + 10 CO2 + 8 H2O

In this experiment, a known mass (m) of activated
charcoal is added to an aqueous solution of oxalic acid of
known initial concentration (ci). The contents are shaken
for some time and allowed to attain equilibrium
(preferably left overnight). Some oxalic acid is adsorbed
on activated charcoal. Solution is filtered. The equilibrium
concentration of oxalic acid (cf) is determined by titrating
the filtrate against a standard solution of potassium
permanganate. For this purpose the following equation is
used

2 Mox Vox = 5 Mpp Vpp

The value of x (the amount of oxalic acid adsorbed) can be
calculated from the change in concentration due to
adsorption (ci - cf) and the initial volume of the solution –
100 ml as follows
The concentration of oxalic acid decreases due to
adsorption on the activated charcoal. Hence, whatever
amount of oxalic acid is adsorbed on the charcoal will be
equal to the decrease in the amount of oxalic acid in the
solution.
Decrease in the concentration of oxalic acid
= (Initial concentration of oxalic acid) - (equilibrium
concentration of oxalic acid)
= ci - cf
The amount of oxalic acid adsorbed (x)
= Decrease in the amount of oxalic acid in the solution
= Decrease in the concentration of oxalic acid * Volume of
solution in litre
= (ci – cf)*100 / 1000

We intend to verify the observance of Freundlich isotherm

by graphical method.
The following plot is made
log (x/m) against log c (to verify Freundlich isotherm)
We must get a straight line verifying the observance of
Freundlich adsorption isotherm.
 Materials Required
Titration Flasks
Stoppered Bottled
Funnels
Filter Papers
Beakers
Burettes
2 litre flask
Oxalic acid (s)
KMnO4 (s)
Concentrated H2SO4 solution
Weighing machine
Burette stands
Hot water bath
Activated charcoal
Thermometer
 Procedure
1. Measure 3.16 g of KMnO4 (s) in a 2 litre flask and add distilled
water up until the 2 litre mark.
2. Shake the flask well and keep in an undisturbed place
overnight.
3. In 5 distinct conical flasks, measure using weighing machine
2.52 g, 1.26 g, 0.84 g, 0.63 g, 0.54 g of oxalic acid (s).
4. Name the flasks A, B, C, D, E respectively.
5. Dilute each of the above flasks to 100 ml
6. Shake well.
7. Measure 2 g charcoal and add it to flask A and shake well.
8. Add a stopper on each of the flask and cover well.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the other flasks as well.
10. Let them sit overnight.
11. Retrieve the flasks A through E and the 2 litre flask.
12. Take 5 conical flasks A’, B’, C’, D’, E’ respectively.
13. On the mouth of A’ place a funnel and place 2 filter papers
on the funnel
14. Pour approximately 10 ml of the solution of A into the
funnel.
15. When the entire filtrate gets through, discard it.
16. Now add the rest of the solution in A into the funnel and let
it sit
17. Repeat steps 13 through 16 for B’, C’, D’, E’ respectively.
18. From the 2 litre flask measure out a quantity of 100 ml into
a beaker.
19. Fill a burette to the 0 ml mark with the KMnO4 solution
20. Using a pipette measure out 10 ml of solution from flask A’
into a conical flask (X).
21. Measure out half a test-tube of concentrated H2SO4 and
place it in the hot water bath for a few minutes.
22. Measure the temperature in intervals.
23. When the H2SO4 solution gets to approximately 328 – 333 K,
remove the solution and add it to the conical flask X.
24. Place the flask X directly below the mouth of the burette
and start titrating with KMnO4 solution
25. Stop when there is a permanent pink colouring of the
solution.
26. Note the final reading of the burette.
27. Tabulate the readings.
28. Repeat steps 20 through 27 thrice for each solution.
29. Repeat steps 19 through 28 for B’, C’, D’, E’ respectively.
 Calculations
1. Molarity of initial solutions
Bottle Mass of Volume of Number of Molarity of
number oxalic acid solution moles of the solution
(s) used in after oxalic acid ci (M)
grams dilution (ml) present
A 2.52 100 0.02 0.2
B 1.26 100 0.01 0.1
C 0.84 100 0.0066 0.066
D 0.63 100 0.005 0.05
E 0.54 100 0.004 0.04

2. Molarity of KMnO4 solution

Mass of KMnO4 used = 3.16 (g)
Volume of flask after dilution with distilled water = 2000 (ml)
Number of moles of KMnO4 used = 3.16 / 158 = 0.02 moles
Molarity of solution = 0.02 / 2 = 0.01 M
3. Titration of final flasks
Bottle Volume of Initial Final Total
Number oxalic acid burette burette volume of
solution in reading in reading in KMnO4 used
ml ml ml in ml
A’ 10 0.0 10.6 10.6
A’ 10 10.6 21.2 10.6
A’ 10 35.2 45.8 10.6
B’ 10 12.0 17.5 5.5
B’ 10 22.3 27.8 5.5
B’ 10 41.0 46.5 5.5
C’ 10 0.0 3.7 3.7
C’ 10 9.0 12.7 3.7
C’ 10 12.9 16.6 3.7
D’ 10 0.0 2.8 2.8
D’ 10 2.8 5.6 2.8
D’ 10 11.2 14.0 2.8
E’ 10 32.1 34.4 2.3
E’ 10 34.8 37.1 2.3
E’ 10 0.0 2.3 2.3
4. Amount of Oxalic acid Adsorbed
Let the Molarity of oxalic acid be Mox
Let the volume of oxalic acid be Vox
Let the Molarity of KMnO4 solution be Mpp
Let the volume of KMnO4 solution be Vpp
Then

2 Mox Vox = 5 Mpp Vpp

Bottle Amount Concordant Equilibrium Change Mass of oxalic
Number of oxalic volume of concentration in acid adsorbed
acid KMnO4 using the Molarity x=
used in solution in equation Δc = (Δc*100)/1000
ml ml cf in M in grams
ci – cf
in M
A’ 10 10.6 0.0265 0.1735 0.01735
B’ 10 5.5 0.0137 0.0863 0.00863
C’ 10 3.7 0.0092 0.0568 0.00568
D’ 10 2.8 0.007 0.043 0.0043
E’ 10 2.3 0.00575 0.0342 0.00342
5. Verification of Freundlich isotherm
Bottle Mass of Mass of log(x/m) Equilibrium log(cf)
number oxalic activated concentration
acid charcoal of oxalic acid
adsorbed used cf (M)
x (g) m (g)
A 0.01735 2 -2.0617 0.0265 -1.576
B 0.00863 2 -2.3650 0.0137 -1.861
C 0.00568 2 -2.5466 0.00925 -2.033
D 0.0043 2 -2.6675 0.007 -2.154
E 0.00342 2 -2.7670 0.00575 -2.240

The graph of log (x/m) vs log(c)

 Conclusion
The adsorption of oxalic acid by activated
charcoal is a process that is governed by the
Freundlich adsorption isotherm.
The process is governed by Freundlich
adsorption isotherm due to the fact that log
(x/m) ∝ log (c).
The graph of log(x/m) vs. log(c) is a straight
line.
 Applications of Adsorption

1. In gas masks: All gas masks are devices containing suitable

adsorbent so that the piousness gases present in the
atmosphere are preferentially absorbed and the air for
breathing is purified
2. In clarification of sugar: Sugar is decolorized by treating
sugar solution with charcoal powder. The later adsorbs the
undesirable colours present.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. In Adsorption indicator: Various 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.
 Precautions
1. Discard first 10 ml of oxalic acid solution after
filtering in filter paper.
2. Handle concentrated sulphuric acid with care.
It can cause boils and dehydrated skin leading to
peeling of skin
3. Take at least 3 concordant readings to ensure
the readings agree the closest.
4. If the H2SO4 is not heated, immediate reaction
will not be observed and wrong results may be
concluded
5. Do not heat solutions over flame. Use water
bath
 Bibliography
1. https://dokumen.tips/documents/physics-
investigatory-project-abhishek-class-xii.html
2. http://www.allprojectreports.com/CBSE-HBSE-
School-Projects/Chemistry-Project-
Report/adsorption.htm
 Contents
1. Certification
2. Introduction
3. Theory
4. Procedure
5. Calculations
6. Conclusion
7. Applications
8. Precautions
9. Bibliography