A PROJECT ON ADSORPTION OF ACETIC ACID ON

CHARCOAL
Submitted To
AISSCE CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL EXAMINATION 2023-2024
BY
Susrudhan S

GRADE-XII
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

VELALAR VIDYALAYAA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

MARUTHI NAGAR, THINDAL, ERODE-638012
VELALAR VIDYALAYAA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ,
ERODE

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Master/Miss Susrudhan S , student of class
XII, VELALAR VIDYALAYAA SENIOR SECONDARY
SCHOOL, Erode has successfully completed the project titled
Adsorption of acetic acid on Charcoal during the academic year
2023-2024 towards partial fulfillment of credit for the Chemistry
Practical Evaluation of AISSCE-2023-2024 under my supervision.

Mrs.P.M.Kalaiselvi,
Department of Chemistry
Velalar Vidyalayaa Sr.Sec School,
School Seal Erode.

Name of the Candidate :

Register Number :

Examination Center : _____________________

Date of Practical Examination :

INTERNAL EXAMINER PRINCIPAL EXTERNAL EXAMINER

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to submit my sincere gratitude to our

Correspondent Thiru.S.D.CHANDRASEKAR, Senior
Principal Mr.R.NALLAPAN and Principal
Mrs.V.PRIYADHARSHINI of Velalar Vidyalayaa Senior
Secondary School, Erode for their kind patronage and all
facilities offered.

I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to

Mrs.P.M.KALAISELVI, faculty of Chemistry Department
for giving valuable guidance and suggestions, which helped
me in successful completion of the project.

I feel obliged to express my special thanks to dear parents and

dearest classmates who helped and guided me to complete this
project. Thanks to all those who lent their warm service to
complete my project successfully.
INDEX

 Introduction
 Adsorption
 Characteristics of Adsorption
 Adsorption <VS> Absorption
 Types of Adsorption
 Adsorption Isotherm
 Applications Of Adsorption
 The Adsorption Process
 Factors Affecting Adsorption
 Adsorption Mechanism of Charcoal
 Applications of Acetic Acid Adsorption on Charcoal
 Chemical Properties of Acetic Acid
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Charcoal Adsorption
 Future Directions in Acetic Acid Adsorption Research
 Conclusion
 Bibliography

 INTRODUCTION

Adsorption is the process of binding molecules or

particles to a surface. Charcoal, a highly porous
material, is commonly used as an adsorbent due to its
large surface area and ability to selectively bind certain
molecules.
One such molecule that can be adsorbed onto charcoal
is acetic acid, a weak organic acid commonly found in
vinegar. The adsorption of acetic acid onto charcoal
has been studied extensively due to its relevance in
various industrial processes.
 ADSORPTION

The phenomenon of attracting and retaining the molecules of a

substance at the surface of a solid or liquid resulting in higher
concentration of the molecules on the surface than in bulk is
called Adsorption. As a result of adsorption there is a decrease in
surface energy.

ADSORBENT & ADSORBATE:

The solid substance on the surface of which adsorption
occurs is known as Adsorbent.
The substances that get absorbed on the solid surface due
to intermolecular attractions are called adsorbate.
Examples of Adsorbent & Adsorbate:
Adsorbent:
Silica-gel

Metal & colloids

Adsorbates:
Various gasses (He, Ne, N2, SO2, NH3 ETC)
Substance in solution (Nacl, Kcl)
CHARACTERISTICS :

Adsorption is a spontaneous process and takes place

in so time.
It is accompanied by a decrease in the free energy
of the systems , ie., ∆G.
The adsorption will continue to such an extent that

∆G continues to be negative.
Eventually magnitude of ∆G decreases to zero.
When ∆G for further adsorption reaches a value for
zero, a adsorption equilibrium is said to be
established.
As the process of adsorption involves loss of degree
of freedom of the gas in passing from free gas to the
adsorbed film there is a decrease in the entropy of
the system.
It follows from the Gibbs-Helmoltz equation:

−∆G = ∆H − T∆S
−∆H = ∆G + T∆S
∆G is the change in free energy, ∆H is the change
in heat content, ∆S is the change in entropy and T is
the temperature of the system.
 As entropy and free energy decrease in adsorption,
the value of ∆H decreases.
Hence the adsorption process must always be
exothermic.

ADSORPTION<VS>ABSORPTION

The terms adsorption and absorption are different. Adsorption

is a phenomenon in which there is higher concentration of
another substance on the surface than in the bulk. Absorption
is a phenomenon in which the body of other substance are
uniformly distributed throughout the body of other substance.
COMPARISON ABSORPTIO ADSORPTION
N

It is the It is the phenomenon

phenomenon in of higher
which particles concentration of
Description of gas or liquid particles of gas or
get uniformly liquid on the surface
distributed than in bulk of the
throughout the solid.
body of solid.
Absorption Adsorption are
are categorized into 2
types:
 categorized
Types
into 2
types: Physical and Chemisorption,

chemical absorption. Physisorption.

The rate of reaction The rate of
is uniform and can reaction is steady
Types of be described as in and attains
Reaction endothermic equilibrium; this
Exhibited process. reaction can be
described as an
exothermic reaction.
Absorption occurs Adsorption occurs
only on the surface throughout the
Occurrence of the phase that is phase, as molecule
in contact with the enter and get
molecule. dispersed into the
phase.
During the process During the process
of absorption, the of adsorption, the
concentration of concentration of the
absorbed absorbed substance
Concentration substances does not changes from bulk
show any to the bottom of the
significant change. absorbent.
It remains constant
throughout the
medium.
Applied in cold Applied in air
Applications storage, ice conditioning,
production, water
turbine purification,
Applications inlet cooling, synthetic resin,
and refrigerants chillers and in
absorption development of
chillers non-
for space cooling. stick coatings.
Examples Absorption of water Activated charcoal
as
by sponge.
adsorbent.
Factors on which adsorption depend :

1.Surface area of adsorbent: Greater the

surface area of adsorbent, greater the volume
of gas adsorb.
2. Nature of gas being Adsorb: Higher the
critical temperature of gas, grater is the among of
that gas adsorbed.
3. Temperature: Adsorption decreases with
increase in temperature and vice-versa.
4. Pressure: Adsorption of a gas increases with
increase of pressure because on applying
pressure gas molecules come close to each other.
  TYPES OF ADSORPTION

Depending upon the nature of forces which hold the

molecules of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent,
the adsorption is classified into two types:

● Physical Adsorption

● Chemical Adsorption

1. Physical Adsorption:

This is also called Physisorption. In physisorption, a

molecule becomes attracted to the surface atoms via van der
waals forces. These include dipole-dipole interactions,
induced dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces.
Note: There are no chemical bonds formed between
adsorbate and adsorbent. These are forces that exist between
particles of all matter. Because of their universal nature, these
forces would operate between any adsorbent and adsorbate
pair. Therefore, the physisorption is observed on the surface
of any solid.

2. Chemical Adsorption:

This is also called Chemisorption. This type of adsorption

caused by forces similar to chemical bonds between the
adsorbent and the adsorbate is called chemisorption or
chemical adsorption. Chemisorption is highly possible
between a specific adsorbent- adsorbate pair. Two cases of
chemisorption are:

● Molecular adsorption: The adsorbate remains

intact. An example is alkene binding by platinum.

● Dissociation adsorption: One or more bonds

concomitantly with adsorption. In this case, the

barrier to dissociation affects the rate of adsorption.
An example is binding of H2 to a metal catalyst.

Physisorption VS Chemisorption:

Physisorption/Physical Chemisorption/Chemical

adsorption adsorption
The forces operating The forces operating
between adsorbate and between adsorbate and
adsorbent are weak van der adsorbent are strong and
waals forces similar to chemical
bonds
The enthalpy is low and range The enthalpy is high and ranges

from 10 to 40 kJ mol-1 from 40 to 400 kJ mol-1

Physisorption occurs at low Chemisorption occurs at high

temperature and high pressure temperature and pressure

It is reversible in nature It is irreversible in nature
Multilayer formation is Monolayer formation occurs
common
 ADSORPTION ISOTHERM
The relation between the amount of substance adsorbed by the
adsorbent and the equilibrium gas pressure (or concentration
for solutions) at constant temperature is called an adsorption
isotherm.

Freundlich’s adsorption isotherm:

At low value of p, the graph is nearly straight and sloping this

is represented by following equation:
𝑥
𝖺 𝑝1 or 𝑥
= constant x p1 (1)
𝑚 𝑚

At higher pressure becomes independent of the values of p in

this range pressure:
𝑥
𝖺 𝑝0 or 𝑥
= constant x p0 (2)
𝑚 𝑚

in the intermediate range of pressure will depend on p raised

to the powers between 1 and 0. ie. Fractions. For a small
range of pressure values, we can write:
X
𝖺 p1/n or 𝑥m 𝑚 = kp1/n (3)
 APPLICATIONS OF ADSORPTION
SILICA AND ALUMINIMUM GEL:
There is always a small packet of silica gel kept in almost
all the new items we purchase. Its main purpose is to help
keep the moisture out by allowing the moisture vapours to
get adsorbed over the surface of silica or aluminium gel
particles.

POLLUTION MASKS:
Amid this pandemic, masks have become an extend part
of our body. When you try to cut open a pollution mask
there will be two or more layers of fabric, and between
the layers exists activated carbon granules or a filter
sheet, which serves as a purifier. The activated carbon
element or the filter sheet is the adsorbent, while the dust
and smoke particles are adsorbates.
CURING THE DISEASE:
It should not be surprising to all to say that adsorption is
used in curing many diseases. The disease-causing
germs get deposited on the surface of the drug taken
against it, which later gets ejected from the body
through natural processes.

CHARCOAL GAS MASKS:

The masks used in mining or other related activities are
required to be designed with the utmost efficiency and
care because the personnel working there have to deal
with toxic and poisonous gasses. In such applications,
the manufacturers make use of adsorption properties of
the substance like charcoal to filter out the unwanted
gasses or hazardous fumes to avoid any dangerous
outcoming.
PURIFICATION OF WATER(ALUM):
During the purification of water using alum a small piece
of alum is inserted in water and is allowed to rest. A little
later, you can observe the impurities getting combined to
form a large cluster. Now, one can easily remove it by
various separation methods, such as sedimentation etc.
ADSORPTION INDICATORS:
Surfaces of certain precipitates such as silver halides
have the property of adsorbing some dyes like eosin,
fluorescein, etc. and thereby producing a characteristic
colour at the end point.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS:
Chromatographic analysis based on the phenomenon of
adsorption finds a number of applications in analytical
and industrial fields.
MISTY WINDOWS:
Every night a layer of water vapors gets deposited on
the surface of windows, which is more prominently
visible during cold weather.
 THE ADSORPTION PROCESS

 The adsorption of acetic acid onto charcoal occurs through a

combination of physical and chemical interactions. The porous
structure of the charcoal provides ample surface area for the acetic
acid molecules to interact with, while the chemical properties of the
charcoal surface determine the strength and selectivity of the
adsorption.

 The adsorption process is influenced by several factors, including the

concentration of acetic acid in solution, the temperature and pressure
of the system, and the pH of the solution. Understanding these
factors is crucial in optimizing the adsorption process for various
applications.
 FACTORS AFFECTING ADSORPTION

 The effectiveness of adsorption depends on a number of

factors, including the concentration of the compound being
adsorbed, the temperature and pressure of the system, and the
properties of the adsorbent material.
 In the case of acetic acid adsorption on charcoal, the
concentration of acetic acid in the solution will affect the rate
of adsorption. Higher concentrations of acetic acid will lead
to faster adsorption rates, up to a certain point where the
surface of the charcoal becomes saturated.
 ADSORPTION MECHANISM OF CHARCOAL

 Charcoal is a highly porous material with a large surface

area, which makes it an effective adsorbent for a variety of
compounds. The adsorption mechanism of charcoal involves
the physical attraction of molecules to the surface of the
material.
 When acetic acid comes into contact with charcoal, it is
attracted to the surface of the material through weak van der
Waals forces. The acetic acid molecules then adhere to the
surface of the charcoal, effectively removing them from the
surrounding solution.
 APPLICATIONS OF ACETIC ACID ADSORPTION ON
CHARCOAL

 The adsorption of acetic acid on charcoal has potential

applications in various industries. One such application is in
the purification of water and wastewater, where acetic acid
can be present as a contaminant.
 Charcoal can also be used as a filter medium to remove
acetic acid from air or gas streams, such as those produced by
industrial processes. Additionally, the adsorption of acetic
acid on charcoal can be used to recover acetic acid from
waste streams for reuse in industrial processes.
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACETIC ACID

 Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is a colorless liquid

with a pungent odour. It is a weak acid with a pH of
approximately 2.4 and a molecular formula of CH3COOH.
 Acetic acid is commonly used in the production of vinegar,
as well as in the manufacture of various chemicals, including
solvents, plastics, and dyes. It is also an important
intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other
organic compounds.
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CHARCOAL
ADSORPTION

 Charcoal adsorption has several advantages over other

separation techniques. It is a cost-effective and
environmentally friendly process, as charcoal is a renewable
resource and can be easily regenerated after use.
Additionally, charcoal has a high selectivity for certain
molecules, allowing for precise separation of desired
compounds.
 However, there are also some disadvantages to charcoal
adsorption. The process can be slow and requires a large
amount of adsorbent material, which can be costly.
Additionally, the selectivity of charcoal adsorption can be
affected by factors such as temperature and pH, making it
less reliable in certain situations.
 FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN ACETIC ACID ADSORPTION
RESEARCH

 Despite the extensive research on acetic acid adsorption onto

charcoal, there are still many unanswered questions and areas
for future exploration. One such area is the development of
new adsorbent materials with improved selectivity and
efficiency.
 Another area of interest is the application of computational
methods to better understand the adsorption process and
predict the behavior of various molecules on different
adsorbent surfaces. These advances could lead to more
efficient and effective separation techniques in the future.
  CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the adsorption of acetic acid onto charcoal is a complex

process that has been extensively studied due to its relevance in various
industrial applications. While charcoal adsorption has several advantages
over other separation techniques, there are also some limitations and areas
for future exploration.

Overall, the continued research into the adsorption of acetic acid onto
charcoal has the potential to lead to more efficient and sustainable
separation processes in the future.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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