Abhay Sharma Class 12 Chemistry Project

Surface phenomena:-
Surface chemistry is referred to as the study of the

phenomenon occurring on the surfaces of
substances. This is very applicable in industries
and day to day lives. In other words, surface
chemistry deals with all types of surface
phenomenon.
Table of Content
 Applications of Surface Chemistry
 Role of Adsorption
 Types of Adsorption
 Effects of Pressure and Temperature
 Adsorption Isotherms
 Emulsions
What is Surface Chemistry?
It is the study of the chemical phenomena that
occur at the interface of two surfaces which can be
solid-liquid, solid-gas, solid-vacuum, liquid-gas,
etc. Some applications of surface chemistry are
known as surface engineering. There are various
phenomena taking place on the surface of
substances and some of them are:
 Adsorption
 Heterogeneous Catalysis
 Corrosion
 Crystallization
Applications of Surface Chemistry
In a wider perspective, surface chemistry deals
with the interaction of surfaces of one system with
that of the other system. Some phenomena work
on this principle such as:
 Catalysis
 Colloid Formation
 Electrode Reactions
 Chromatography
Surface Chemistry has a major role in various

chemical processes such as:
 Enzymatic reactions at the biological
interfaces found in the cell walls and
membranes.
 In the electronics industry, they are used in the
surface and interface of microchips found in
computers.
 In automobile exhausts, the heterogeneous
catalysts found in the catalytic converter for
cleaning emissions.
Role of Adsorption in Surface Chemistry

Accumulation of species on higher concentration
on the surface of a substance due to
intermolecular force is known as adsorption. For
Example, gases such as H2, O2, N2 adsorbs on
the surface of activated charcoal.
Also Read: Difference between Adsorption and
Absorption
Enthalpy of Adsorption: The amount of heat
energy liberated when one mole of gas is
adsorbed on the unit surface area of adsorbent is
known as enthalpy of adsorption.
Types of Adsorption
Due to the force of interaction between adsorbate
and adsorbent, adsorption in surface chemistry is
classified into two types.
Physical Adsorption or Physisorption
There exists a weak van der Waals force between
adsorbate and adsorbent.
Characteristics:
 Nature of forces: weak van der Waals forces
 Specificity: It is not specific in nature
 Reversibility: The process is reversible
 Layer: It is a multi-layered process
 Enthalpy of adsorption: Low enthalpy of
adsorption [ 20 – 40 KJ/mole ]
 The energy of activation: Very low
 Desorption: Very easy
 Factors affecting: Surface area of adsorbent
nature of adsorbate, pressure, temperature.
Chemical Adsorption or Chemisorption
It is due to strong chemical forces between
adsorbate and adsorbent.
Characteristics:
 Nature of forces: Strong chemical forces
 Specificity: Highly specific nature
 Reversibility: It is irreversible
 Layer: It is a single-layered process
 Enthalpy of adsorption: High enthalpy of
adsorption [40 – 400 KJ/mole]
 The energy of activation: Very high
 Desorption: Very difficult
 Factors affecting: Surface area of adsorbent,
nature of adsorbate Temperature.
Effects of Pressure and Temperature on
Adsorption
Effect of pressure on the adsorption of a gas on a
solid
The fraction of gas adsorbed is proportional to the
pressure of the gas. Adsorption increase with
pressure reaches the maximum and becomes
constant.
Effect of temperature on adsorption of gases on

solid
 Adsorption of gases on solid is
always exothermic.
 Physical adsorption follows the Lechatlier
Principle, the amount of gas adsorbed
decrease with the increase of temperature.
 Chemisorption increases with an increase in
temperature. It reaches the maximum and
then decreases.
 The curve obtained by plotting fraction of gas
adsorbed and temperature at constant
pressure is adsorption isobars.
Surface Chemistry Adsorption Isotherms

Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm
x/m = K [P^(1/n)]
‘x’ is the mass of adsorbate on the mass of
adsorbent
⇒ log K/m = 1/n (log P + log K)
It does not apply to the adsorption of gases on
solids at a higher pressure
Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm
 The layer of gas adsorbed on the solid
adsorbent is one molecule thick.
 The adsorbed layer is uniform all over the
adsorbent.
 There is no interaction between the adjacent
adsorbed molecules.
Emulsions in Surface Chemistry
The colloidal solutions in which both dispersed
phase and dispersion medium are liquids are
called Emulsions.
Example: Paints, dyes, milk, vanishing cream. On
the basis of dispersion medium emulsions in
surface chemistry are classified into two types:
Oil in Water Emulsions
In this, the oil or fat droplets are dispersed in
water. Example: Milk.
Water in Oil Emulsions
In this, the water droplets are dispersed in
oil. Example: Vanishing cream.
Emulsions are unstable, to increase the stability
another substance called emulsifiers are
added. Example: Milk contains natural emulsion
casein.
Applications of Emulsions
 These are used in syrups
 Paints
 Toothpaste
 Digestion of fats
 Pigment and dye

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Surface phenomena:-

Surface chemistry is referred to as the study of the

Surface Chemistry has a major role in various

Role of Adsorption in Surface Chemistry

Effect of temperature on adsorption of gases on

Surface Chemistry Adsorption Isotherms

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