--%>

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 : Whether HCl is a base or an acid

    Whether HCl is a base or an acid? Briefly state your comments?

  • Q : Calculating molarity of a solution

    Select the right answer of the question .The molarity of a 0.2 N N2Co3 solution will be: (a) 0.05 M (b) 0.2 M (c) 0.1 M (d)0.4 M

  • Q : Explain structure basicity of amines.

    Basic character of amines is related to their structural arrangement. Basic strength of amines depends on the relative ease of formation of the corresponding cation by accepting a proton from the acid. Greater the stability of cation is, more is basic strength of amine.Alkyl a

  • Q : Can protein act as the buffer Can

    Can protein act as the buffer? Briefly comment on that statement.

  • Q : Application of colligative properties

    Choose the right answer from following. Colligative properties are used for the determination of: (a) Molar Mass (b) Equivalent weight (c) Arrangement of molecules (d) Melting point and boiling point (d) Both (a) and (b)  

  • Q : Statement of Henry law Determine the

    Determine the correct regarding Henry’s law: (1) The gas is in contact with the liquid must behave as an ideal gas (2) There must not be any chemical interaction among the gas and liquid (3) The pressure applied must be high (4) All of these.

  • Q : Partial vapour pressure of volatile

    Choose the right answer from following. For a solution of volatile liquids the partial vapour pressure of each component in solution is directly proportional to: (a) Molarity (b) Mole fraction (c) Molality (d) Normality

  • Q : Preparation of normal solution Give me

    Give me answer of this question. What weight of ferrous ammonium sulphate is requiored to prepare 100 ml of 0.1 normal solution (mol. wt. 392): (a) 39.2 gm (b) 3.92 gm (c)1.96 gm (d)19.6 gm

  • Q : M ive me answer of this question. When

    ive me answer of this question. When mercuric iodide is added to the aqueous solution of potassium iodide, the: (a) Freezing point is raised (b) Freezing point is lowered (c) Freezing point does not change (d) Boiling point does not change

  • Q : Problems related to entropy change A)

    A) Two compartments each of 1 m3 capacity are joined by a valve and insulated from the surroundings and from one another. One compartment has saturated steam at 683.6 kPa and the other contains steam at the same temperature but at a pressure of 101.3 kPa. T