SURFACE CHEMISTRY

INTRODUCTION
Dear Viewers, today we are going to see about surface chemistry. We all are already
know about the chemical reaction it is nothing but a one new thing is converted into another
thing by using another one substance. The substance used for the reaction is called catalyst.
Usually the reactant is react at the surface and gives the product. Today we are completely
see about the surface and its characteristics and how the reaction which take place in the
catalyst.

ADSORPTION
Adsorption is a surface phenomenon. It is observed at the surface of the
solution. Adsorption is a phenomenon of concentration of substance on the
surface of a liquid or solid.
“The condition in which concentration of a substance in the interfacial
layers between two phases is greater than in the bulk of either phase, then
the substance is said to be adsorbed at the interface and the phenomenon is
known as adsorption”.
The process of adsorption of gases by solids is a common phenomenon.
The charcoal especially coconut charcoal has a great capacity of the adsorption
of gases. Silica gel is also utilised for the adsorption of number of gases. The
solid that takes up gas or vapour or solute from a given solution is called
adsorbent and the solute or gas which is held to surface of solid is known as
adsorbate.

CLASSIFICATION OF ADSORPTION OF GASES ON SOLIDS

The adsorption of gases on solids has been divided in to two types based
on the nature of forces holding the gas molecules to the solids.
1. Physical adsorption (or) Vander waal’s adsorption
2. Chemical adsorption (or) chemisorption.

1. Physical adsorption
This adsorption is due to the operation of forces between solid surface
and the adsorbate molecules that are similar to vander waal’s forces between
molecules. These forces are generally undirected and relatively non specific.
Physical adsorption can also be defined as that type of adsorption where
physical forces hold the gas molecules to the solids.

2. Chemical adsorption
Chemical adsorption is defined as a type of adsorption in which chemical
bonds serve the function of holding gas molecules to the surface. It occurs
due to the stronger binding forces, comparable with those leading to formation
of chemical compounds. It is generally an irreversible process.
The main differences can be summarised as follows:-
Physical adsorption Chemical adsorption
1. It is due to intermolecular
Vander waal’s force.
1. It is due to chemical bond
2. Depends on the nature of gas.
formation.
Easily liquefiable gases are
2. More specific than the physical
adsorbed readily.
adsorption.
3. Heat of adsorption is small.
3. Heat of adsorption is large.
4. Reversible.
4. Irreversible.
5. If occurs rapidly at low
5. Increases with increase
temperature and decreases with
of temperature.
increase of temperature.
6. Change of pressure has no
6. Increase of pressure increases
effect.
adsorption.
7. Forms unimolecular layer
7. Forms multimolecular layers
on adsorbent surface.

FACTORS AFFECTING ADSORPTION

The magnitude of gaseous adsorption depends upon the following
factors
i. Temperature
ii. Pressure
iii. Nature of the gas and
iv. Nature of the adsorbent.
Effect of temperature and pressure
Adsorption is invariably accompanied by evolution of heat. Therefore,
in accordance with Le chatelier’s principle, the magnitude of adsorption
increases with decrease in temperature. Further, since adsorption of a gas
leads to decrease of pressure, the magnitude of adsorption increases with
increase in pressure. Thus, decrease of temperature and increase of pressure
both tend to cause increase in the magnitude of adsorption of a gas on a
solid.
Nature of the gas
It is observed that the more readily soluble and easily liquefiable gases
such as ammonia, chlorine and sulphur dioxide are adsorbed more than the
hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. The reason is that Vander waal’s or
intermolecular forces which are involved in adsorption are more predominant
in the former than in the latter.
Nature of the adsorbent
Adsorption is a surface phenomenon. Therefore, the greater the surface
area per unit mass of the adsorbent, the greater is its capacity for adsorption
under the given conditions of temperature and pressure.
CATALYSIS
A catalyst is a substance which alters the speed of a chemical reaction
without itself undergoing any chemical change and the phenomenon is known
as catalysis.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CATALYTIC REACTIONS
The following characteristics are generally common to most of the
catalytic reactions.
1. The catalyst remains unchanged in mass and in chemical composition
at the end of the reaction.
2. Only a small quantity of catalyst is generally needed.
3. A catalyst cannot initiate a reaction. The function of a catalyst is only
to alter the speed of the reaction which is already occurring at a
particular rate.
4. A catalyst does not alter the position of equilibrium in a reversible
reaction.
5. The catalyst is generally specific in its action.
TYPES OF CATALYTIC REACTIONS
Catalytic reactions are classified into two broad types;
1. Homogeneous catalysis
2. Heterogeneous catalysis

1. Homogeneous Catalysis
In these reactions, the reactants and catalyst remain in the same phase.
The following are some of the examples of homogeneous catalysis.
i. Oxidation of SO2 to SO3 with oxygen in the presence of nitric oxide
as the catalyst in the lead chamber process
ii. Hydrolysis of methyl acetate is catalysed by H+ ions furnished by
hydrochloric acid
2. Heterogeneous Catalysis
The catalytic process in which the reactants and the catalyst are in
different phases is known as heterogeneous catalysis. Some of the examples
of heterogeneous catalysis are given below.
i. Oxidation of SO2 to SO3 in the presence of Pt metal or V2O5 as catalyst
in the contact process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid.
The reactants are in gaseous phase while the catalyst is in solid phase.
ii. Combination between nitrogen and hydrogen to form ammonia in the
presence of finely divided iron in Haber’s process.
The reactants are in gaseous phase while the catalyst is in solid phase.
TYPES OF CATALYSTS
The catalysts have been divided into different types according to their behaviour and pattern
of action.
1.Positive catalyst
A catalyst which enhances the speed of the reaction is called positive catalyst and the
phenomenon is known as positive catalysis. Various examples i. Decomposition of H2O2 in
presence of colloidal platinum
ii. Decomposition of KClO3 in presence of manganese dioxide.
2. Negative Catalyst
There are certain substances which, when added to the reaction mixture,
retard the reaction rate instead of increasing it. These are called negative
catalysts or inhibitors and the phenomenon is known as negative catalysis.
The examples are given below.
i. The oxidation of sodium sulphite by air is retarded by alcohol.
ii. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide decreases in presence of
glycerine.
3. Auto catalyst
In certain reactions, it is observed that one of the products formed during
the reaction acts as a catalyst for that reaction. Such type of catalyst is called
auto catalyst and the phenomenon is known as auto catalysis.
In the oxidation of oxalic acid by potassium permanganate, one of the
products MnSO4 acts as a auto-catalyst because it increases the speed of the
reaction.
4. Induced Catalyst
When one reactant influences the rate of other reaction, which does not
occur under ordinary conditions, the phenomenon is known as induced
catalysis.
Sodium arsenite solution is not oxidised by air. If, however, air is passed
through a mixture of the solution of sodium arsenite and sodium sulphite,
both of them undergo simultaneous oxidation. Thus sulphite has induced
the arsenite and hence is called induced catalyst.
Promoters
The activity of a catalyst can be increased by addition of a small quantity
of a second material. A substance which, though itself not a catalyst, promotes
the activity of a catalyst is called a promoter. Some examples of the promoters
are given below.
i. In the Haber’s process for the synthesis of ammonia, traces of
molybdenum increase the activity of finely divided iron which acts as a
catalyst.
Catalytic Poisons
A substance which destroys the activity of the catalyst is called a poison
and the process is called catalytic poisoning. Some of the examples are
(i) The platinum catalyst used in the oxidation of SO2 in contact process
is poisoned by arsenious oxide.
(ii) The iron catalyst used in the synthesis of ammonia in Haber processis poisoned by H2S
ACTIVE CENTRES
The catalytic surface has unbalanced chemical bonds on it. The reactant
gaseous molecules are adsorbed on the surface by these free bonds. This
accelerates the rate of the reaction. The distribution of free bonds on the
catalytic surface is not uniform. These are crowded at the peaks, cracks and
corners of the catalyst. The catalytic activity due to adsorption of reacting
molecules is maximum at these spots. These are, therefore, referred to as
the active centres. If a catalyst has more active centres, then its catalytic
activity is increased.
APPLICATIONS OF CATALYSIS
The applications of catalysis are summarised as follows.

Process Catalyst
1. Haber’s process for the manufacture
of ammonia.
2. Ostwald’s process for the manufacture
of nitric acid. Finely divided iron. Molybdenum
3. Lead chamber process for the as promoter.
manufacture of sulphuric acid. Platinished asbestos
4. Contact process for the manufacture Nitric oxide.
of sulphuric acid. Platinised asbestos or vanadium
5. Deacon’s process for the pentoxide (V2O5).
manufacture of chlorine. Cupric chloride (CuCl2)
6. Bosch’s process for the manufacture Ferric oxide (Fe2O3). Chromic oxide
of hydrogen. as a promoter.
7. Hydrogenation of vegetable oils Nickel (finely divided).
Oil + H Ferric oxide (Fe2O3)
2 Vanaspati ghee
8. Bergius process for the synthesis of
petrol from coal.

SUMMARY

Adsorption is a phenomenon of concentration of substance on the surface

of a liquid or solid. The adsorption is classified into physical adsorption and
chemical adsorption.
A catalyst is a substance which alters the speed of a chemical reaction
without itself undergoing any chemical change and the phenomenon is known
as catalysis. Catalytic reactions are classified into homogeneous catalysis
and heterogeneous catalysis.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module you will be able to,

-To study the adsorption, classification of adsorption and factors

affecting adsorption.
-To study the catalysis and types of catalysis

-To study the type of catalyst

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Briefly explain the factors affecting catalysis.

2. Describe about type of catalysis..

TUTORIALS

1. Identify and list the type of catalyst.

2. Write about the catalysis

LINKS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_science

https://www.askiitians.com › Revision Notes › Chemistry

https://www.nature.com › subjects

https://schools.aglasem.com › 12th Class

https://schools.aglasem.com › Schools / Boards › CBSE

ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/lech105.pdf
GLOSSARY

Adsorption -concentration of substance on the

surface
adsorbent-solid that takes up gas or vapour or solute from a given solution is called
adsorbate- the solute or gas which is held to surface of solid
Oxidation- loss of electron
Reduction- gain of electron
Catalyst- alter the rate of the reaction
Homogeneous- same phase
Heterogeneous- different phase
Auto catalyst- self catalyst
Induced catalyst- influenced by the other

FAQS WITH ANSWER

1.Define adsorption

The condition in which concentration of a substance in the interfacial

layers between two phases is greater than in the bulk of either phase, then
the substance is said to be adsorbed at the interface and the phenomenon is
known as adsorption”.

2.Explain the different type of adsorption

Physical adsorption
This adsorption is due to the operation of forces between solid surface
and the adsorbate molecules that are similar to vander waal’s forces between
molecules. These forces are generally undirected and relatively non specific.
Physical adsorption can also be defined as that type of adsorption where
physical forces hold the gas molecules to the solids.
Chemical adsorption
Chemical adsorption is defined as a type of adsorption in which chemical
bonds serve the function of holding gas molecules to the surface. It occurs
due to the stronger binding forces, comparable with those leading to formation
of chemical compounds. It is generally an irreversible process.
3.List the different type of catalysis

Homogeneous,

Heterogeneous

4. Name the kinds of catalyst

Positive,

negative,

catalytic poison,

induced catalyst,

auto catalyst.

5.Define adsorbent and adsorbate

The solid that takes up gas or vapour or solute from a given solution is called
adsorbent and the solute or gas which is held to surface of solid is known as
adsorbate.
6. Give the characteristics of catalyst
1. The catalyst remains unchanged in mass and in chemical composition
at the end of the reaction.
2. Only a small quantity of catalyst is generally needed.
3. A catalyst cannot initiate a reaction. The function of a catalyst is only
to alter the speed of the reaction which is already occurring at a
particular rate.
4. A catalyst does not alter the position of equilibrium in a reversible
reaction.
5. The catalyst is generally specific in its action.
QUIZ

1. Which one is the correct factor that explains the increase of rate of reaction
by a catalyst
(a) shape selectivity (b) particle size
(c) increase of free energy (d) lowering of activation energy
2.In case of physical adsorption, there is desorption when
(a) temperature increases (b) temperature decreases
(c) pressure increases (d) concentration increases
3. For selective hydrogenation of alkynes into alkene the catalyst used is
(a) Ni at 250°C
(b) Pt at 25°C
(c) Pd, partially inactivated by quinoline
(d) Raney nickel
4. For chemisorption, which is wrong
(a) irreversible
(b) it requires activation energy
(c) it forms multimolecular layers on adsorbate
(d) surface compounds are formed

5. The adsorption of the gas on the solid is based on

(a) force (b) gas (c) solid (d) surface

6. The force in the physical adsorption

(a) vanderwalls (b) chemical (c) physical (d) gravity

REFERENCES

1. A text book of physical chemistry - A.S. Negi and S.C.Anand - Fifth

Print, 1997.
2. Essentials of physical chemistry - B.S. Bahl, G.D.Tuli and Arun-Bahl
- Reprint 2004.
3. Text book of physical chemistry - Louis and Glasstone.
SYNOPSIS

Adsorption is a surface phenomenon. It is observed at the surface of the

solution. Adsorption is a phenomenon of concentration of substance on the
surface of a liquid or solid.
“The condition in which concentration of a substance in the interfacial
layers between two phases is greater than in the bulk of either phase, then
the substance is said to be adsorbed at the interface and the phenomenon is
known as adsorption”.
The process of adsorption of gases by solids is a common phenomenon.
The charcoal specially coconut charcoal has a great capacity of the adsorption
of gases. Silica gel is also utilised for the adsorption of number of gases. The
solid that takes up gas or vapour or solute from a given solution is called
adsorbent and the solute or gas which is held to surface of solid is known as
adsorbate.

VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vny5og61q-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua7pVJrADGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCotb7poaqY