Adsorption isotherm

Determination of the Adsorption Parameters of Oxalic acid on

Charcoal Objectives:

To demonstrate the adsorption phenomena and to show students

how to determine the adsorption parameters.

Theory :
Colloidal dispersions have to the property of adsorption
solutes at their surfaces. Thermodynamically such adsorption
process occurs to reduce the surface free energy of the dispersion
and therefore increase its stability.
The degree of adsorption of a solute (adsorbate) on the adsorbent
depends on the chemical nature of the adsorbent and the
adsorbate, the specific surface area of the adsorbent, the
temperature and the concentration or the pressure of the adsorbate.
At constant temperature the relation between the amount
adsorbed and concentration in a limited concentration range may be
represented by one of the three adsorption isotherms of
Freundlich (Eq. 5), Langmuir (Eq. 7) and BET (Brunauer
Emmett and Teller).
Freundlicn isotherm
y = x/ m = kC1/n (5)
Where x = weight of adsorbate in grams, adsorbed by m grams
of the adsorbent.
K & n = emperial constants.
Ce = equilibrium concentration.
Ym = weight of the adsorbate in grams, adsorbed by one gram
of the adsorbent to form a monolayer.
b= Equilibrium constant of the adsorption process.
Freundlich equation can be linearized by taking the logarithmic form (
Eq. 6) of Eq .5. However langmuir equation can be linearized by taking
the reciprocal of the equation as shown in equation 7 & 8:
Log (x/m) = (1/n) Log C +LogK
(6)
Langmuir isotherm
In the contrary of frendlich isotherm ; langmuir is based on a
theoretical consideration of the process of adsorption. These consideration
are:
1. A maximum of monolayer will be adsorbed .
2. The adsorption surface is homogeneous with each site having the same
affinity for adsorption .
3. There are a finite number of site to which molecules can be absorbe .
4. There is a competition between solvent and solute molecules for the
adsorption site.
5. Adsorption is a function of the number of adsorption site available
and therefore the rate of adsorption (or the occupation of these sites) will
decrease with time.
1/Y = 1/Ym + ( 1/Ym . b ) (1/Ce) (7)
Ce/Y = 1/Ym . b + (Ce/Y ) (8)
Adsorption Of Oxalic Acid On Charcoal
In this experiment oxalic acid will be used as the adsorbate and charcoal will
be used as the adsorbent .
Experimental :
Procedure :
1. In each of 6 Erlenmeyer flasks introduce 5 gms of the adsorbent.
2. To each of them add 50 ml a known dilution of a standard solution of
oxalic acid provided (e.g . 1N , 0.8N , 0.4N and O.1N) according to Table
7.
3. Shake occasionally for 15 minutes and set aside to achieve
equilibrium.
4. Filter , reject the first portion of the filtrate after washing the receiver
with it.
5. Titrate, 20ml of the aliquot filtrate in each case with 0.5N sodium
hydroxidusing phenophthalin as an indicator (2 drops).
6. Calculate the amount adsorbed in each case and list your result in Table .
Data Analysis :
1. Each group of students should cooperate to run experiment .
2. From Table 7, plot x/m vs. Ce, Log x/m vs. Log Ce and Ce l(x/m) vs.
Ce.
3. Analysis each graph and write your report as you had done in Experiment No
5.