MODULE 6.
ADSORPTION
6.1 Introduction
Sorption is commonly defined as the concentration or transfer of contaminants from one phase
to another. There are two types of sorption, namely absorption (absorption of the entire phase
of the absorbent) and adsorption (absorption only by the surface of the absorbent). Examples
of absorption include dissolving (absorption) of oxygen gas into water bodies; absorption of
DDT pesticides by organic solvents such as hexane, or absorption of dissolved metals by living
cells, etc. Another example of adsorption such as the absorption of molecules or ions by the
surface of solids (adsorbents), such as activated carbon, soil particles, zeolites, etc.
In general, adsorption is categorized as physical adsorption (van der Waal's adsorption) and
chemical adsorption (chemosorpstion, involving chemical reactions between adsorbents and
adsorbates). Dissolved molecules or compounds (adsorbates) can be absorbed onto the surface
of the absorbent solids (adsorbents) due to imbalance of the substance's interfacial force
through the adsorption mechanism. By determining the weight of adsorbate which absorbed
per weight of adsorbent (x / m) and residual concentration at equilibrium, then mathematically
the isotherm model of the adsorption mechanism and adsorption capacity of an adsorbent that
is specific to the adsorbate can be determined.
6.2 Objectives
1. Understand the basic principles in determining the adsorption isotherm model in
accordance with the results of the experiment.
2. Able to calculate the adsorption capacity of activated carbon/or other adsorbents to
particular adsorbates specifically
6.3 Apparatus and Material
1. Apparatus:
a. Automatical shaker
b. Erlenmeyer flask 100 mL
c. 1 set filtration tool
d. Spectrophotometer UV-Vis
e. Volumetric Pipette, Volumetric flask 100 mL
2. Materials:
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a. Activated karbon or other adsorbents
b. Standard solution of methylene blue 100 mg/L
c. Aquadest
6.4 Procedure of Experiments
6.4.1 Making Calibration Curve of Standard Solution
1. Make a series of standard solution of methylene blue with concentration of 50, 40, 30,
20, 10, 0 mg / L
2. Measure the absorbance of each solution using a spectrophotometer
3. Create a standard curve from the obtained data
Experiment I
1. Take each of 50 mL from methylene blue standard solution, put in 6 pieces of
erlenmeyer.
2. Add each Erlenmeyer flask with 0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25 g of activated carbon. Do it
carefully thus carbon does not stick to the upper wall of the erlenmeyer
3. Shake with a shaker for 15 minutes.
4. Filter the solution and measure the absorbance of the filtrate using a
spectrophotometer.
5. Calculate residual concentrations in filtrate (as residual concentrations in equilibrium).
6. Calculate the correlation of x/m with Ce from the results of this experiment with the
corresponding regression of Langmuir-Freunlich-Linear-or BET.
Experiment II
1. Make 50 mL of each methylene blue standard solution with a concentration of 100
mg/L; 80 mg / L; 60 mg / L; 40 mg / L; 20 mg / L then put it into Erlenmeyer flask.
2. Add 0.1 g each of activated carbon. Do it carefully thus carbon does not stick to the
upper wall of the erlenmeyer
3. Shake with a shaker for 15 minutes.
4. Filter the solution, and measure the absorbance of the filtrate using a
spectrophotometer.
5. Calculate residual concentrations in filtrate (as residual concentrations in equilibrium)
6. Calculate the correlation of x/m with Ce from the results of this experiment with the
corresponding regression of Langmuir-Freunlich-Linear-or BET.
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6.4.2 Calculation for Experiment Data of Adsorption
1. Calculation for making calibration curve of standard solution methylene blue
No CMB (mg/L) (X) A = -log T (Y) Regression
0 0 0
1 C1 A1 Y=aXA
2 C2 A2 = m CMB
3 C3 A3
Etc. Etc. Etc. R~1
2. Calculation for defining isotherms and adsorption capacity
w Linear Isotherm Langmuir Isotherm
C0 Ce X=V(C0-
No karbon x/m Ce m/x 1/Ce
(mg/L) (mg/L) Ce) (mg)
(g) (mg/g) (mg/L) (g/mg) (L/mg)
1
2
3
4
Etc.
Correlation Value of Linear R (R) R Linear R Langmuir
Freundlich Isotherm Isoterm BET Isotherm
No C ((Cs-
Log (x/m) Log Ce C/Cs
Ce)x/m)
1
2
3
4
Etc. R Freundl R BET
Note:
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• Make graphs and linear regression for each adsorption isotherm (for example for Linear
Isotherms, then draw graph shows the relationship between x/m as the axis (y) and Ce
as the axis (x)).
• From each regression, write the regression equation and the correlation value (R). The
R value closest to 1 indicates the adsorption isotherm that is consistent with your
experiments.
• From the regression equation, calculate the adsorption capacity and adsorption
constant value according to the formula for each adsorption isotherm.
6.5 In-depth Knowledge
1. What is the meaning of adsorption isotherm?
2. Make an example of application for using the results of experiments in the field of
environmental engineering! (For example in absorbing methylene-blue waste in the ink
industry, you can make assumptions about the concentration of waste and the volume
of treated waste thus you can determine the amount of adsorbent that needed).
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