Grade 12 ↓
Surface chemistry
Surface chemistry is the study of the chemical phenomena that occur at the interface of two phases, usually between a gas and a solid, a gas and a liquid, a liquid and a solid, or two immiscible fluids such as oil and water. This area of chemistry enables us to understand the processes that occur at the boundaries between different phases and includes the study of adsorption, catalysis, colloids, and surface tension.
The concept of absorption
Adsorption is a key principle in surface chemistry. It refers to the accumulation of particles or molecules on the surface of a substance. This can occur with gases or liquids accumulating on solid surfaces. The substance on whose surface adsorption occurs is called the adsorbent, and the substances that adsorb are called adsorbents.
Types of absorption
There are two main types of adsorption: physical adsorption (physisorption) and chemical adsorption (chemisorption).
Physical absorption (physisorption)
In physisorption, the adsorbate molecules are held on the surface of the adsorbent by weak van der Waals forces. This is a non-specific type of adsorption and can occur with most gases on any solid surface. It is usually reversible. An example of physisorption is O 2
adsorbed on charcoal.
Chemical absorption (chemisorption)
Chemisorption involves the formation of a chemical bond between the adsorbent and the surface of the adsorbent. It is highly specific and is often irreversible due to the high energy involved in forming the chemical bond. An example of chemisorption is the adsorption of hydrogen on nickel during hydrogenation reactions.
Factors affecting absorption
Several factors can affect the amount and rate of absorption, including:
- Nature of adsorbent: Porous and finely divided materials generally make better adsorbents because of their large surface area.
- Nature of adsorption: The adsorption capacity of a molecule depends upon its chemical structure, size and polarity.
- Pressure: Generally, increase in pressure increases the extent of adsorption because it forces more gas molecules onto the surface.
- Temperature: Physical adsorption is usually exothermic and decreases as temperature increases, while chemisorption, being endothermic, can increase with temperature.
Absorption isotherm
Adsorption isotherm equations describe how the concentration of the adsorbate on an adsorbent changes with pressure (for gases) or concentration (for solutions) at constant temperature.
Freundlich adsorption isotherm
The Freundlich adsorption isotherm is an empirical relationship that indicates the increase in adsorption with pressure. The formula is:
x/m = kP 1/n
Here x
is the mass of the adsorbate, m
is the mass of the adsorbent, P
is the pressure, and k
and n
are constants.
Langmuir adsorption isotherm
The Langmuir isotherm is based on the assumption that adsorption sites are equally available, and each site can hold only one molecule. The formula is:
θ = (bP) / (1 + bP)
where θ
is the fraction of surface covered, b
is a constant related to the affinity between the adsorbent and the adsorbed substance, and P
is the pressure.
Role of surface chemistry in catalysis
Catalysis involves the acceleration of chemical reactions by substances called catalysts, which are not themselves consumed in the reaction. Surface chemistry is important in heterogeneous catalysis, where reactions take place on the surface of solid catalysts.
Mechanism of catalysis
This mechanism typically involves the adsorption of reactants on the catalyst surface, where they interact to form products, which are then removed, leaving the catalyst ready to facilitate more reactions. This mechanism highlights the importance of the surface properties of the catalyst.
Example of a catalytic reaction
A classic example of a surface catalytic reaction is the hydrogenation of ethylene using a platinum catalyst. The reaction proceeds as follows:
C 2 H 4 (g) + H 2 (g) ⇌ C 2 H 6 (g)
Applications of surface chemistry
Surface chemistry has many applications in various fields:
- Environmental science: Adsorption is used to remove pollutants from air and water in pollution control.
- Medicine: Absorption processes are used in the development of drug delivery systems and diagnostic devices.
- Industrial processes: Catalytic converters, which rely on surface chemistry, are used to reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.
Understanding surface energy and wettability
Surface energy is the extra energy present at the surface of a substance, compared with its bulk, which can affect how liquids spread across a surface. Wetting is determined by the balance of surface energy between the liquid, the solid, and the surrounding air.
Contact angle
The contact angle is the angle between the tangent at the liquid-solid interface and the solid surface. It is a measure of wetting, with smaller angles indicating better wetting.
Conclusion
Surface chemistry is an essential branch of chemistry that helps us understand the interactions that occur at the interfaces of materials. It has useful applications in technology, industry, and environmental science, helping us solve complex problems related to reactions, material absorption, and the design of advanced materials. Through studying surface chemistry, we gain more insight into the chemical processes that pervade our everyday world.