Chemistry

Surface chemistry

B.SUBBULAKSHMI
I-B ed (Aided)(A2 sec)
Roll no-79
Objectives

 Adsorption
 Adsorption versus absorption
 Types of adsorption: physisorption and chemisorption
 Desorption
 Adsorption isotherms: Freundlich and Langmuir
 Adsorption isobar
 Catalysis
 Definitions
Adsorption
The phenomenon of higher concentration of any molecular
species at the surface than in the bulk

Adsorbent
The substance on the surface of which adsorption takes
place is called adsorbent

Adsorbate
The substance which is being adsorbed on the surface of
another substance.

Desorption
The process of removal of an adsorbed substance from the
surface on which it is absorbed
Adsorbent Materials

• Activated Carbon

• Activated Alumina

• Silica Gel

• Molecular Sieves (Zeolites)

• Polar and Non-polar adsorbents

Adsorption vs absorption
Types of Adsorption
Positive adsorption occurs when the concentration
of adsorbate is higher on the surface of adsorbent
than in the bulk.

Negative adsorption occurs when the

concentration of adsorbate is less on the surface of
adsorbent than in the bulk.
 Types of adsorption
1. Physical adsorption

2. Chemical adsorption

Comparison between physisorption and chemisorption

S. No. Physical adsorption Chemical adsorption
1 Caused by intermolecular van der Caused by chemical bond formation
Waals' forces
2 It is not specific It is highly specific
3 It is reversible It is irreversible
4 Heat of adsorption is low (20-40 kJ/mol) High heat of adsorption (80-240 kJ/mol)
5 Low temperature is favourable Increases with high temperature
6 Results multilayer adsorption Results unimolecular layer
Factors affecting adsorption
Effect of adsorbate: The easily liquifiable gases like
NH3, HCl, CO2 etc. are adsorbed to a greater extent
than the permanent gases such as H2 ,O2, N2, etc.

Effect of specific area of the absorbent: The

greater the specific area of the solid, the greater
would be its adsorbing capacity.

Effect of temperature: adsorption decreases with

increase in temperature.

Effect of pressure: An increase in pressure causes

an increase in the magnitude of adsorption of an
adsorbent.
Application of Adsorption
 In clarification of sugar

 In gas masks

 In catalysis

 In adsorption indicators

 In chromatographic analysis

 In softening of hard water

 In preserving vacuum

 In paint industry

 In removing moisture from air in the storage of delicate

instruments
Need to make chemical reaction faster
Most Reactions are too slow to be useful..
Ways to Make Chemicals Faster
Pressure
Temperature

Disadvantage--Too hot! Disadvantage--Cause Explosions

Add other Chemicals Catalysts!!!!

Disadvantage--Separate chemicals Disadvantage--Costly

The Story of Catalysis
Role of a Catalyst
Catalysts speed up a chemical reaction
without being used up...

Catalyst-Reactants

Catalyst + Reactants
Catalyst + Products
Important properties of catalyst

Activity: A reasonable rate of reaction

is needed.
Selectivity: Byproducts should be
minimized.
Cost: The acceptable cost depends
upon the catalyst lifetime and product
value.
Catalysis
Types of catalysis

Homogeneous catalysis

Process Products Catalyst

1. Hydrolysis of an ester. Acid and Alcohol H+
2. Oxidation of SO2 to SO3 SO3 NO
in lead chamber process

Heterogeneous catalysis

Process Products Catalyst

1. Ammonia synthesis NH3 Fe with Al2O3
2. Methanol synthesis MeOH ZnO/Cr2O3
Type of Catalyst
Positive catalyst
increase the rate
MnO
2KClO3 
2  2KCl  3O
2
270 C

Negative catalyst
decrease the rate
Alcohol
2CHCl3  O2  2COCl2  2HCl

Auto catalyst
product act as catalyst

CH3COOC2H5  H2O  CH3COOH  C2H5OH

Do Catalysts Live Forever?
NO!!!

They can die from:

-- poisons which contaminate the catalyst

-- large molecules which cover the catalyst
-- over heating, over pressurizing
-- crumbling/crushing
Automotive Emission Control
Automobile catalytic converters need
to catalyze several reactions
– CHx + O2 CO2 + H2O
– CO + O2  CO2
– NOx +CHx  N2 + H2O + CO2
– This is achieved by the use of a
supported precious metal catalyst like
platinum, palladium etc.
– Catalyst needs O2 to operate, CeO2
acts as a temporary regenerable source
of O2.
CeO2  Ce2O3 + 1/2O2
Thank you