This Presentation explains applications of adsorption.

1. Applications of Adsorption
D. Sudha
III B.Sc. Chemistry
St. John’s College

2. 1.Separation of Noble Gases
 Dewar’s method
 Coconut charcoal adsorb all noble gases except helium.
 It adsorb noble gases at different temperatures.

3. 2. Gas Mask
 Adsorbent in Gas Mask adsorb poisonous gas in the
atmosphere and purify the air.

4. 3. Catalysis
 In Heterogeneous Catalysis
Heterogeneous Catalysis
 phase of reactants and catalyst are different
 process takes place by three steps
Adsorption Reaction Desorption

5. Example:
1. Formation of Ethane

6. 4. Adsorption Chromatography (Column Chromatography)
 separate mixture of liquids or gases
 Mixture - Adsorbate
 Stationary phase - Adsorbent

7. 5. Froth Flotation Process
 process separate materials based on hydrophobic and
hydrophilic characteristics.
 separate ores from minerals.
 Ores - Adsorbate
 Froth – Adsorbent
 In this process, sulphide ores which is hydrophobic in
nature get adsorbed on froth and then get separated.

8. Other Applications:
 In paint industry - to adsorb dissolved gases which
prevent paint from adhering.
 For dehumidification - used to remove moisture
present in air. Silica gel and alumina used for
dehumidification in electronic equipment.
 Removal of coloring matter - Animal charcoal remove
color from solution by adsorbing colored matter. It is used
as decolorizer in manufacture of cane sugar.
 Dyeing of cloth – Mordents like alum help to stick
colour on cloth.