ADSORPTION

Experiment # 8

ADSORPTION
Phenomenon whereby molecules or ions are
adhered to the surface of a solid due to
forces of attraction
solid phase is called the adsorbent
the molecules that are adsorbed on the
adsorbent are called the adsorbed phase or
adsorbate.

Objectives of the experiment

To construct the Langmuir isotherm for the
adsorption of acetic acid on activated
charcoal from the aqueous solution.

Theory
In

the case of adsorption of acetic acid from

the aqueous solution on charcoal, the
amount of solute ( acetic acid ) adsorbed per
gram of adsorbent ( charcoal ) depends on
the surface area of the adsorbent, the solute
concentration in solution and the temperature

adsorption isotherm
The

equilibrium relationship between the

concentration of the solute in solution and
the quantity of solute adsorbed per unit mass
of adsorbent at a given temperature

Langmuir Isotherm
It

assumes a homogeneous surface and

that the adsorbed layer is only one
molecule thick. It is expressed as follows:
c
=
x/m
y

1
ab
b

c
b
mx

where, x/m = weight adsorbed material per gram of

adsorbent
c = concentration of solution at equilibrium
a = empirical constant; affinity of binding sites, L/mg
b = maximum weight of adsorbed solute per
gram of adsorbent required for a full
monolayer coverage of the adsorbent, mg/g
** plot of c/x/m vs c, the slope is 1/b , the y-intercept is
1/ab