Physisorption

From Free net encyclopedia

Physisorption or physical adsorption is a type of adsorption in which the adsorbate adheres to the surface only through weak intermolecular interactions. It is characterised by:

• Low temperature, always under the critical temperature of the adsorbate
• Type of interaction: Intermolecular forces (van der Waals forces)
• Low enthalpy: <math>\Delta H < \ 20 KJ/mol </math>
• Adsorption takes place in multilayers
• Low activation energy

Examples

N₂ on iron at 80 KTemplate:Chem-stub de:Physisorption fr:Physisorption

See also

Chemisorption