Chemistry Project Report, Project Report on Adsorption, Chemical

Adsorption, Physical Adsorption, Introduction towards Adsorption,

Causes of Adsorption, Classification of Adsorption, Factors on
which adsorption depend, Types of Adsorption, Freundlich's
adsorption isotherm, Application of adsorption

Project Report Adsorption

The situation existing at the surface of Liquid or a solid is different

from them in interior. For example, a molecule in the interior of a
liquid is completely surrounded by other molecules on all sides
and hence the intermolecular forces of attraction are exerted
equally in all directions. however, a molecule at the surface of a
liquid is surrounded by large number of particles in the liquid
phase and fewer number of particles in vapour phase i.e. in the
space above the liquid surface. As a result these molecules lying at
the surface, experiences some net inward forces of attraction
which cause surface tension. Similar inward forces of attraction
exist at the surface of a solid.

Because of the unbalanced inward forces of attraction of free

valances at the surface, liquid and solids have the property to
attract and retain the molecules of a gas or dissolved substance on
the their surfaces with which they come in contact.

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

1. It is specific and selective in nature.

2. It is accompanied by decrease in the free energy of the system.
When G becomes zero, Adsorption equilibrium is established.

3. 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

1. Surface area of Adsorbent :

Greater the surface Area of Adsorbent, greater is the volume of
gas adsorb

2. Nature of gas being Adsorb :

Higher the critical temperature of gas, greater is the among of that

gas adsorbed.

3. Temperature :

Adsorption decreases with increase in temperature and vice -

versa.

4. Pressure :

Adsorption of a gas increase with increase of pressure because on

applying pressure gas molecules comes close to each other.

Types of Adsorption
1. 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.

2. 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.

(i) Physical Adsorption isobar (ii) Chemical Adsorption isobar.

Application of Adsorption

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. In clarification of sugar : Sugar is decolorized by treating sugar

solution with charcoal powder. The later adsorbs the undesirable
colours present.

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 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.

6. 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.