General Description of Physisorption

For purpose of this book distinctions will be made between physical adsorption for the liquid-like state and in the solid-like state. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate 

Some definitions needed to comprehend the first part of this book 

The molecules adsorbed on the surface of the solid material The solid material upon which the adsorbate is adsorbed Addition of adsorbate to the adsorbent by increasing the adsorptive pressure 

The gas in equilibrium with the adsorbate Enhancement of the amount of gas molecules on the surface of a solid caused by covalent or ionic bonding A plot of amount adsorbed versus -ln(-ln(P/Pj)) 

Removal of adsorbate from the adsorbent by decreasing the adsorptive pressure or increasing the temperature The phenomenon of the desorption isotherm being different from the adsorption isotherm. (The amount of adsorbate is greater for desorption.) 

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