Adsorption
- is a process in which molecules or
particles of a substance adhere to the
surface of another substance. The
substance to which the particles adhere
is called the adsorbent, while the
particles that adhere are called the
adsorbate. Adsorption occurs due to
intermolecular forces, such as van der
Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and
electrostatic interactions.
A. Physical Adsorption
- Van der Waals attraction between
adsorbate and adsorbent.
- The attraction is not fixed to a specific
site and the adsorbate is relatively free
to move on the surface.
- This is relatively weak, reversible,
adsorption capable of multiplyer
adsorption.
B. Chemical Adsorption
- Chemical bonding between adsorbate
and adsorbent characterized by strong
attractiveness. Adsorbed molecules are
not free to move on the surface.
- High degree of specificity and
typically monolayer is formed .
- The process is rarely reversible.
Biosorption
- Biosorption is a type of adsorption that
involves the use of biological materials,
such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, as the
adsorbent. Biosorption is an effective
method for the removal of heavy
metals, radionuclides, dyes, and organic
pollutants from wastewater and
other aqueous solutions.
Advantage
Biosorption is that it is a low-cost and
environmentally friendly process. Biosorption
can also be used to recover metals from
industrial wastewater and to produce biofuels
from agricultural waste. In addition, biosorption
can be used to remove pollutants from
contaminated soils.
TWO TYPES OF BIOSORPTION
1. Active Biosorption
- Involves metabolic processes in which
the biosorbent cells take up the
adsorbate.
2. Passive Biosorption
- Involves non-metabolic processes in
which the adsorbate adheres to the
surface of the biosorbent without being
taken up by the cells.
MECHANISMS
In physical adsorption (also known as
physisorption), the intermolecular forces
between the adsorbate and the adsorbent
are relatively weak, and the adsorbate is
usually held to the surface by van der Waals
forces. Physical adsorption is typically
reversible and is influenced by factors such
as temperature, pressure, and surface area.
In chemical adsorption (also known as
chemisorption), the adsorbate forms a
chemical bond with the surface of the
adsorbent. This type of adsorption involves
a more significant interaction between the
adsorbate and adsorbent, and the
adsorbate is typically held to the surface
more strongly than in physical adsorption.
Chemical adsorption is generally irreversible
and is influenced by factors such as the
nature of the adsorbent surface and the
electronic structure of the adsorbate.
WHY ADSORPTION PROCESS IS
EXOTHERMIC?
As we know, adsorption is a spontaneous
process (ΔG = -ve). Thus from
thermodynamics, ΔG = ΔH – TΔS, where ΔH
= change in enthalpy, ΔS = entropy change,
T = absolute temperature.
Entropy reduces when the adsorbate is
adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbent,
i.e. S = -ve. As a result, the previous
equation becomes ΔG = ΔH + TΔS
ΔH must be negative and greater than TΔS
in order to get ΔG = - ve. Thus, the
adsorption process is exothermic as ΔH is
negative for the exothermic. process.
Factors Affecting Adsorption Process
1. Biomass Properties
- Type and Nature of Biomass
- Growth, Nutrition and age
- Physical Treatment
- Chemical Treatment
2. Physio-chemical Factors
- pH and Temperature
- Pollutant solubility
- Metal Speciation
- Anions and cations
INDUSTRIES IMPLEMENTING ADSORPTION
1. Water Treatment
Adsorption is commonly used in water
treatment plants to remove impurities
such as organic and inorganic
contaminants, heavy metals, and
microorganisms. Activated carbon is a
commonly used adsorbent in water
treatment due to its high surface area
and ability to remove a wide range of
contaminants. The adsorption process
 involves the transfer of the and separated through further
contaminants from the water to the processing steps.
activated carbon surface, which is then
removed through filtration or other 5. Food Industry
separation methods. Adsorption is utilized in the food
industry for the removal of impurities
2. Gas Separation and the purification of food products.
Adsorption is utilized in the gas Activated carbon is used for the
separation industry to separate gases removal of impurities such as
based on their physical and chemical pesticides, herbicides, and other
properties. Zeolites and activated contaminants from food products. The
carbon are commonly used adsorbents adsorption process is also used in the
in gas separation processes. The purification of sugars and other food
adsorption process is used to products.
selectively adsorb certain gases, while Adsorption is utilized in the food
allowing others to pass through. This is industry for the removal of impurities
useful in the separation of industrial and the purification of food products.
gases, such as carbon dioxide and Activated carbon is used for the
methane, and for the production of removal of impurities such as
high-purity gases. pesticides, herbicides, and other
3. Petrochemical Industry contaminants from food products. The
The adsorption process is used in the adsorption process is also used in the
petrochemical industry for the removal purification of sugars and other food
of impurities and separation of products
products. Activated carbon is used for
the removal of sulfur and other
impurities from natural gas and other
hydrocarbons. Zeolites and other
adsorbents are used for the separation
of products such as xylene isomers and
other hydrocarbons.
4. Pharmaceutical Industry
Adsorption is utilized in the
pharmaceutical industry for the
purification and separation of drug
compounds. Silica gel and activated
carbon are commonly used adsorbents
in the pharmaceutical industry. The
adsorption process is used to
selectively adsorb the drug compound
from a mixture, which is then purified