Investigation of the adsorption in solution by measuring the surface

tension of butyric alcohol solution

Full name: Pham Hoang Hiep

Student ID: 20180723
Class ID: 129749
Instructor: Dr. Nguyen Van Anh
Date: 13/10/2020
Physicochemical laboratory of Ha Noi University of science and technology

I. Introduction
Adsorption is the selective retention of components in gases, liquids, or dissolved compounds
on the surface of a solid. Adsorption is a process that is widely used in the chemical industry,
food processing, and many other sectors. It is used to eliminate components that would otherwise
be detrimental to the environment if released into the environment or cause process issues, such
as poisoning a catalyst [1].
The goal of this experiment is to investigate adsorption by measuring surface tension and
calculating the maximum adsorption and equilibrium constant. According to the Shishkovski
equation, the surface tension at each temperature of the solution depends on the concentration of
the surfactant:
σ =σ 0 −a . ln ⁡(1+b . C)
σ : The surface tension of the solution at concentration C (mol/L)
σ 0: The surface tension of the distilled water (C=0)

a,b: The empirical constant

According to the Shishkovski equation, the relation of σ and C from a given solution
(standard curve) is constructed. Conversely, if the surface tension of the solution is determined as
σ ', then from the standard curve the concentration of the solution is deduced as C.
The surface tension of the water-butyric alcohol solution is measured at different
concentrations, at a constant temperature, the surface tension is proportional to concentration.
From the obtained data, the standard curve graph “   C ” is plotted.
 Figure 1. Standard curve graph “   C ”
When the activated carbon is added to the above solutions. The activated carbon will adsorb
butyric alcohol solution and the solution concentration will decrease. After the adsorption
process reached equilibrium, the solution is filtered to separate the solid adsorbent, and the
surface tension of the filtrate solution is measured. From the standard curve graph, the
concentration of the solution after adsorption is determined [2].
The hypothesis to be tested was that the solution concentration and the surface tension are
standard curves and the adsorption phenomenon observed in the experiment follows Langmuir’s
isothermal adsorption.

II. Methodology
Four rough-button Erlenmeyer flasks (100-mL) and four smooth-button Erlenmeyer flasks
(100-mL) were prepared. Eight cleaned and dried Erlenmeyer flasks were numbered 1 to 4 and 1'
to 4'. Erlenmeyer flasks numbered from 1 to 4 were used for conducting the adsorption process.
Erlenmeyer flasks numbered from 1' to 4' were used for containing the solution after the
adsorption. Four glass funnels and filter papers were prepared. Burette was used to draw 25ml
butyric alcohol solution with different concentrations. Used chemicals include activated carbon,
butyric alcohol solutions corresponding to concentrations of 0,1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,4 (M)
Table 1. Volume and concentration of butyric alcohol solution for each Erlenmeyer flask

Erlenmeyer flasks number 1 2 3 4

Volume of butyric alcohol solution (mL) 25 25 25 25

Concentrations of butyric alcohol solution
0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4
(M)
 The working principle of the surface tension measuring instrument (Figure 2) was followed:
the liquid to be measured was put into the tube (1). The capillary (2) was dipped into the tube
(note: the capillary head just touches the surface of the liquid). The tube (1) with capillary dipped
was put into the temperature stabilizer (4) to stabilize the temperature. The temperature was
measured by the thermometer (5). During the measurement, the temperature must be constant.
The button and the connected pipes had to be examined before measuring to make sure the lock
was tight. After the temperature was stabilized, the lock (7) was opened slowly to let the water in
the pressure relief tank (6) flow into the cup (8). At that time the pressure inside the system was
less than the pressure outside. The pressure difference was reflected by the height h of the
manometer (9). It needed to be kept in control about 10 to 20 seconds before the air bubble came
out. When there were air bubbles coming out from the capillary (2), h was at the maximum
value. The h value was recorded. Activated carbon was weighed exactly 1 gram on an electronic
balance. Activated carbon was added to Erlenmeyer flasks numbered 1 to 4, and 25-mL of
butyric alcohol solution with the above concentrations was put into each Erlenmeyer flask.
Erlenmeyer flasks were shaken by a machine to promote the adsorption for 60 minutes. The
volume of distilled water and the volume of each solution to be taken were the same so that the
measurement condition of the samples was approximately the same. The height h o value of
distilled water and the height h value of solutions above was measured. After 60 minutes, the
height h value of four Erlenmeyer flasks of the solution after filtration was determined.

Figure 2. The surface tension measuring instrument

(1) The sample tube; (2) The capillary; (3) The T-Shaped coupling; (4) The temperature stabilizer;
(5) The thermometer; (6) The pressure relief tank; (7) The pressure relief valve; (8) The water
cup; (9) The manometer.
 The surface tension of the solution measured through the height “h” was read in manometer
(9) and was followed:
h = K’.σ
K’: The constant depending on the temperature
σ : The surface tension of the solution at concentration C (mol/L)

At constant temperature, h was proportional to σ , from the above relationship the standard
curve graph “h-C” was plotted without having to determine the value of σ . On the other hand, to
determine the Γ value, it was only necessary to know the concentration before and after
adsorption (deduce from the “h-C” standard curve).

Figure 3. Standard curve graph “h-C”

From the measured value established in the graph, the adsorption was calculated by the
equation as follows:
C−C ’
Γ= V (mol. g-1)
m
C, C’ (mol. L-1): The concentration of solution before and after adsorption.
V (L): The volume of solution used.
m (g): Mass of solid adsorbent.
The adsorption process in solution depends on the Langmuir equation:
K .C
Γ =Γ ∞ (mol. g-1)
1+ K . C
Or
 C 1
Γ= + (g.L-1)
Γ∞ K .Γ∞

Γ(mol. g-1): The absorbance of the solution concentration at equilibrium.

Γ ∞(mol. g-1): The maximum absorbance.

K(L.mol-1): The equilibrium constant.

These quantities were determined by constructing relationship C/Γ=f(C). The line
representing this relationship was a straight line (Figure 4).

Figure 4. The K and Γ ∞ determination graph.

From the empirical graph, the angle α and the segment OA were determined, from which Γ ∞
and K could be determined by the formula:
1
tgα=
Γ∞

1
And OA=
K . Γ∞

III. Result
As presented in Figure 1, the relationship "h-C" is an inverted curve and fits a trendline y =
88,405e-1,546x with coefficient of determination R2 = 0,9548. Before adsorption, the concentration
increased, the height “h” decreased.
 100
f(x) = 39.42 x^-0.27
R² = 1
90

Height in manometer h (mm)

f(x) = 88.41 exp( − 1.55 x )
R² = 0.95
80
h
Power (h)
70

60

50

40
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
Concentration of butyric alcohol before adsorption (M)

Figure 5. Standard line graph “h-C”.

After absorption, the relationship between the concentration of the solution after adsorption
and the ratio of concentration to absorbance was a linear line. It was shown in figure 5.

80

f(x) = 284.72 x + 6.26

R² = 0.96
60
C/Γ(g/L)

40
C/Γ
Linear (C/Γ)
20 Linear (C/Γ)

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
Concentration of butyric alcohol after absorption (M)

Figure 6. The K and Γ ∞ determination graph

 As presented in Figure 4, the graph above was a linear line y = 284,72x + 6,2579 with
coefficient of determination R2 = 0,9602. It cuts the vertical axis at a point that determined the
maximum adsorption and the adsorption equilibrium constant.
From the graph, the concentration after adsorption was determined and shown in Table 2 in
the appendix.

III. Discussion
The experimental results are consistent with the hypothesis. From the standard curve graph “
h  C ”, at the constant temperature, the surface tension is inversely proportional to
concentration. when increasing the solution concentration from 0,1 M to 0,4 M, the surface
tension decreases (due to the height h decreases). The concentration of butyric alcohol solution
decreases by the adsorption of activated carbon. From the K and Γ ∞ determination graph, the
concentration of the solution after adsorption, the adsorption equilibrium constant, and the
maximum adsorption were determined.
Errors in these experimental results could be accepted. It is consistent with the theory that the
higher the surfactant concentration, the smaller the surface tension. The standard curve is
curvilinear in accord with the Shishkovski equation. Therefore, the above results are consistent
with the proposed theory. For better results during the experiment, it is necessary to read the
correct height "h" and always keep the temperature stable. Ensure that the temperature of the
adsorption flasks and solutions are the same to investigate the concentration effect on the surface
tension of the solutions under the same conditions. The presence of impurities might profoundly
affect the concentration of solutions. A possible method to minimize the error is to repeat the
experiment for better statistical data.
IV. Conclusion
This experiment showed that the adsorption was examined by using surface tension
measuring. The maximum adsorption and the equilibrium constant in the process of active
carbon adsorption of butyric alcohol from the solution were determined in this experiment.
Surfactant concentration affects the adsorption and surface tension. When the surfactant
concentration increases, the surface tension decreases. Possible errors include inaccurate
determination of the short time of bubble reading at the manometer, the difference in temperature
between Erlenmeyer flasks, and the presence of impurities in the solutions.
References
[1] Nguyen Bin, Cac qua trinh va thiet bi trong cong nghe hoa chat va thuc pham [Process and
equipment in chemical and food technology], (in Vietnamese), 4 ed. Nha xuat ban khoa hoc ky
thuat, 2009
[2] Cao Hong Ha et. al., Thi nghiem hoa ly [Physical chemistry laboratory manual], (in
Vietnamese). Nha xuat ban Bach Khoa Ha Noi, 2020.
Appendix 1. Raw and Processed Experimental Data
Table A1. The concentration and height before adsorption.

Flask number 1 2 3 4
C(M) 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4
h(mm) 73 61 55 50

Table A2. The absorbance, concentration, and height after adsorption.

Flask number 1' 2' 3' 4'

h'(mm) 85 73 64 57
C'(M) 0,035 0,1 0,165 0,255
Γ.10-3(mol/g) 1,625 2,5 3,375 3,025
C'/ Γ (g/L) 21,54 40 48,89 70,34