--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

What is chemisorption or chemical adsorption?

When the forces of attraction existing between adsorbate particles and adsorbent almost of the same strength as chemical bonds, the adsorption is called chemical adsorption. This type of adsorption is also known as chemisorptions. Since forces of attraction existing between adsorbent and adsorbate are relatively strong, therefore, this type of adsorption cannot be easily reversed. 

Characteristics of chemisorptions

Some important characteristics of chemisorptions are as follows:

(i) High specificity: chemisorptions is highly specific in nature. It occurs only if there is a possibility of bond formation between adsorbent and adsorbate molecules. For example O2 is adsorbed on metals by virtue of oxide formation and H2 is absorbed by transition metals due to hydride formation.

(ii) Irreversibility: as chemisorptions involve the compound formation between adsorbent and adsorbate, it is generally irreversible.

(iii) Enthalpy of adsorption: attractive forces between adsorbent and adsorbate molecules are strong chemical bonds and therefore, molar heat of adsorption is high and is of the order of 200-400 kJ mol-1.

(iv) High activation energy: although chemisorptions is exothermic, yet the process is slow at low temperature. It is because of high activation energy required for chemical process to occur. Like most of the chemical changes the extent of chemisorption increases initially with rise in temperature. High pressure is also supporting for chemisorption.

(v) Surface area: like physisorption, chemisorption also increases with increase in surface area of adsorbent.

(vi) State of adsorbate: since chemical reaction takes place in this type of adsorption, therefore, the molecular state of adsorbate molecules may be altered. For example, oxygen exists as O2, but on the surface where it is chemisorbed, it may exist as O2-, O22-, O-, O, O3-, etc.

(vii) Activation energy: chemical adsorption involves a chemical reaction between adsorbent and adsorbate; therefore, it requires high activation energy.

The adsorption of N2 on iron under two different conditions provides distinction between physisorption and chemisorption. At 83 K nitrogen gas undergoes physical adsorption on iron surface. N2 molecules are amount of N2 adsorbed decreases with further rise in temperature. At room temperature there is almost again shows adsorption as N atoms on the iron surface. This mode of adsorption is chemical adsorption as atoms form chemical bonds with iron atoms.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Depression in the freezing point When

    When 0.01 mole of sugar is dissolved in 100g of a solvent, the depression in freezing point is 0.40o. When 0.03 mole of glucose is dissolved in 50g of the same solvent, depression in the freezing point will be:(a) 0.60o  (b) 0.80o

    		•
  • Q : Influence of temperature Can someone

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. With increase of temperature, which of the following changes: (i) Molality (ii) Weight fraction of solute (iii) Fraction of solute present in water (iv) Mole fraction.

    		•
  • Q : Problem on mole fraction of glucose

    Provide solution of this question. While 1.80gm glucose dissolve in 90 of H2O , the mole fraction of glucose is: (a) 0.00399 (b) 0.00199 (c) 0.0199 (d) 0.998

    		•
  • Q : Molecular basis of third law. The

    The molecular, or statistical, basis of the third law can be seen by investigating S = k in W.The molecular deductions of the preceding sections have led to the same conclusions as that stated in the third law of thermodynamics, namely, that a value can be

    		•
  • Q : How haloalkanes are prepared from

    Alkyl halides can be prepared from alkanes through substitution and from alkenes through addition of halogen acids or through allylic substitution.    From alkanesWhen alkanes are treated with halogens, chlo

    		•
  • Q : Dipole moment direction for the methanol

    Briefly describe the dipole moment direction for the methanol?

    		•
  • Q : Analytical chemistry 37% weight of HCl

    37% weight of HCl and density is 1.1g/ml. find molarity of HCl

    		•
  • Q : Analytical chemistry 37% weight of HCl

    37% weight of HCl and density is 1.1g/ml. find molarity of HCl

    		•
  • Q : Problem on partial pressure i) Show

    i) Show that the equilibrium constant Kp for the reaction CaCo3(s) ↔ CaO(s) +CO2(g)is about unity (i.e. = 1.0) at 895 °C.ii) If two grams of calcium carbonate are pl

    		•
  • Q : Molarity of cane sugar solution 171 g

    171 g of cane sugar (C12H22O11)  is dissolved in one litre of water. Find the molarity of the solution: (i) 2.0 M (ii) 1.0 M (iii) 0.5 M (iv) 0.25 M Choose the right answer from above.

    		•