ADSORPTION
Reversible and irreversible adsorption
The adsorption is reversible, if the adsorbent can be easily removed from the surface of the adsorbent by physical methods. It is called irreversible adsorption, if the adsorbate can not be removed from the surface of the adsorbent.
A gas adsorbed on a solid surface can be completely removed in vacuum. It is, therefore, reversible adsorption. Examples of irreversible adsorption are adsorption of oxygen on tungsten adsorbate and adsorption of CO on tungsten surface
Adsorbent, Adsorbate and Interface
Physisorption and Chemosorption:
Physisorption | Chemisorption |
Only van der Waals force are present between adsorbate and surface of adsorbent | Chemical bonds are formed between adsorbate and surface of adsorbent |
Low enthalpy of adsorption ie, in the order of 20 kjmol-1. | High enthalpy of adsorption i.e, order of 200 kjmol-1. |
Reversible | Irreversible |
It is usually takes place at low temperature and does not require any activation energy. | It takes place at high temperature and require activation energy.. |
Multi molecular layer of adsorbate are formed on the surface | Only monomolecular layers are formed. |
Not specific. | Highly specific. |
Langmular Isotherm:
If A, B & AB represents the adsorbed, absorbent and the absorbed – adsorbent complex then,
A + B ↔AB
ka = Equilibrium constant for adsorption = [AB]/[A][B]
kd = Equilibrium constant for desorption = [A][B]/[AB]
K = Distribution coefficient = ka/kb
Θ = Fraction of the surface of adsorbent available for adsorption.
P = pressure
So,
Θ= KP/(1+KP) (Langmular Equation)
Freundlich Isotherm:
x= Mass of the gas adsorbed
m = Mass of absorbent
p = Pressure
K and n = constants
x/m =k.p(1/n) [n >1]
or
log x/m = log k + 1/n log P
Factors Affecting Adsorption:
Colloids
Dispersed Phase:
The phase which is dispersed or scattered through the dispersion medium is called Dispersed phase or discontinuous phase.
Dispersion Medium:
The phase in which the scattering is done is called the dispersion medium or continuous medium.
Dispersed Phase | Dispersion Medium | Name | Typical example |
Solid | Liquid | Sol | Gold sol, Mud, Fe(OH)3 sol, |
Solid | Solid | Solid sol | Gems, Ruby glass, Minerals |
Solid | Gas | Aero sols | Smoke (Carbon in air) Volcanic dust |
Liquid | Solid | Gel | Curd, Cheese, Jellies |
Liquid | Liquid | Emulsion | Milk, water in benzene, cream |
Liquid | Gas | Liquid aerosol | Clouds, fog (water in air) mist |
Gas | Solid | Solid foam | Lava, Pumica |
Gas | Liquid | Foam | Froth on beer , whipped cream |
Lyophobic and Lyophilic Colloids:
Those substance whose colloidal solution cannot be prepared by bringing them in contact with a solvent are called Lyophobic (disliking, fearing or hating a liquid). On the other hand those substances whose colloidal solutions can be prepared by bringing them in contact with a liquid solvent are called lyophilic colloids (loving a solvent).
Emulsions:
Difference between True Solutions, Suspension & Colloids
True solution | Suspension | Colloid |
Homogenous | Heterogeneous | Heterogeneous |
Particle size less than 1nm | Particle size more than 1000nm | Particle size between 1-1000nm |
Don’t settle down | Settle down under the influence of gravity | Don’t settle down |
Complements cannot be separated out by filtration | Can be filtered | Can be filtered using special filter papers |
Don’t show tyndrall effect | Show tyndrall effect | Show tyndrall effect |
Methods of preparation of colloids
Chemical Methods:
Bredig's method:
An electric arc is struck between two metallic electrodes immersed in dispersion medium. The arc produced vapourises the metal which on further condensation produces particles of colloidal size.
Hardy Schulze Rule:
Surfactants
substances which gets preferentially adsorbed at the air – water and solid – water interfaces forming an oriented monolayer where the hydrophilic groups point towards the aqueous phase and the hydrocarbon chain point towards the air or towards the oil phase.
Micelle:
Aggregates formed when the surfactant molecules in the water air interface become so packed in the monolayer that no more molecules can be accumulated with ease they accumulate in the bulk of the solution.
At a given temperature and concentration, a micelle of a surfactant of monodispersed i.e., they contain same number of molecules usually between 25 to 100.
Critical concentration for micelle formation decreases as the molecular weight of hydrocarbon chain of surfactant grows because in this case true solubility diminishes and the tendency of surfactant molecules to associate increases.
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