Surface chemistry is referred to as the study of the phenomenon occurring on the surfaces of
substances. This is very applicable in industries and day to day lives. In other words, surface
chemistry deals with all types of surface phenomenon.
Table of Content
Applications of Surface Chemistry
Role of Adsorption
Types of Adsorption
Effects of Pressure and Temperature
Adsorption Isotherms
Emulsions
What is Surface Chemistry?
It is the study of the chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of two surfaces which can be
solid-liquid, solid-gas, solid-vacuum, liquid-gas, etc. Some applications of surface chemistry are
known as surface engineering. There are various phenomena taking place on the surface of a
substance and out of them some are:
Adsorption
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Corrosion
Crystallization
Applications of Surface Chemistry
In a wider perspective, surface chemistry deals with the interaction of surfaces of one system
with that of the other system. Some phenomena work on this principle such as:
Catalysis
Colloid Formation
Electrode Reactions
Chromatography
Surface Chemistry has a major role in various chemical processes such as:
Enzymatic reactions at the biological interfaces found in the cell walls and membranes
In the electronics industry, the use in the surface and interface of microchips used in
computers.
In automobile exhausts, the heterogeneous catalysts found in the catalytic converter for
cleaning emissions.
Role of Adsorption in Surface Chemistry
Accumulation of species on higher concentration on the surface of a substance due to
intermolecular force is known as adsorption. For Example, gases such as H2, O2, N2 adsorbs on
the surface of activated charcoal.
Also Read: Difference between Adsorption and Absorption
Enthalpy of Adsorption: Amount of heat energy liberated when one mole of gas is adsorbed on
the unit surface area of adsorbent is known as enthalpy of adsorption.
Types of Adsorption
Due to the force of interaction between adsorbate and adsorbent, adsorption in surface chemistry
is classified into two types.
Physical Adsorption or Physisorption
There exists a weak van der Waals force between adsorbate and adsorbent.
Characteristics:
Nature of forces: weak van der Waals forces
Specificity: It is not specific in nature
Reversibility: The process is reversible
Layer: It is a multi-layered process
Enthalpy of adsorption: Low enthalpy of adsorption [ 20 – 40 KJ/mole ]
The energy of activation: Very low
Desorption: Very easy
Factors affecting: Surface area of adsorbent nature of adsorbate, pressure, temperature.
Chemical Adsorption or Chemisorption
It is due to strong chemical forces between adsorbate and adsorbent.
Characteristics:
Nature of forces: Strong chemical forces
Specificity: Highly specific nature
Reversibility: It is irreversible
Layer: It is a single layered process
Enthalpy of adsorption: High enthalpy of adsorption [40 – 400 KJ/mole]
The energy of activation: Very high
Desorption: Very difficult
Factors affecting: Surface area of adsorbent, nature of adsorbate Temperature.
Effects of Pressure and Temperature on Adsorption
Effect of pressure on the adsorption of a gas on a solid
The fraction of gas adsorbed is proportional to the pressure of the gas. Adsorption increase with
pressure reaches the maximum and becomes constant.
Effects of Pressure and Temperature on Adsorption
Effect of temperature on adsorption of gases on solid
Adsorption of gases on solid is always exothermic.
Physical adsorption follows Lechatlier Principle, the amount of gas adsorbed decrease
with the increase of temperature.
Chemisorption increases with increase in the temperature. It reaches the maximum and
then decreases.
The curve obtained by plotting fraction of gas adsorbed and temperature at constant
pressure is adsorption isobars.
Surface Chemistr
