LAPORAN PRAKTIKUM KIMIA FISIKA

MODUL 6 : ISOTHERMIC ADSORPTION

KELOMPOK : 2 / Friday
Nama Praktikan : Muhamad Farhan Randhie Hakim
NRP : 5008231191
Nama Praktikan : Sekar Arum S. H.
NRP : 5008231046
Nama Praktikan : Afif Mughni
NRP : 5008231105

DOSEN PENGAMPU
Nama Dosen : Siti Zullaikah, S.T., M.T., Ph.D
NIP : 197807162008122002

ASISTEN
Nama Asisten : Syarifa Nur’aini
NRP : 6008222002

Tanggal Praktikum : 31 May 2024

Tanggal Pengumpulan Laporan : 7 June 2024

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY & INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT – FACULTY OF INDUSTRIAL
TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI SEPULUH NOPEMBER
A. OBJECTIVES
To observe the adsorption process of a solution at a constant temperature.

B. BASIC THEORY
When a solid surface is exposed to a gas or liquid, molecules from the gas or solution
phase collect or concentrate on the surface. Adsorption refers to the concentration of
molecules on the surface of a solid. The substance that accumulates is referred to as the
adsorbate, and the solid surface where the deposition occurs is known as the adsorbent.
Atoms or molecules on a solid surface behave similarly to liquid surface molecules in that
they have unbalanced or residual attractive forces that can hold adsorbate particles. These
adsorbed atoms or molecules can be held on the surface of a metal, such as platinum (Pt),
through physical van der Waals forces or chemical forces caused by residual valence
bonds. Hydrogen adsorption on platinum can occur in two ways: molecularly and
atomically.
Adsorption is demonstrated by stirring finely divided charcoal into a dilute solution
of methylene blue, an organic dye. The depth of colour in the solution decreases
significantly, indicating that the charcoal particles have adsorbed the dye molecules.
Similarly, adding a gas such as SO2, Cl2, or NH3 to powdered charcoal in a closed vessel
reduces gas pressure. This occurs when gas molecules condense on the surface of
charcoal, indicating that they have been adsorbed. One example is hydrogen chemisorbed
on nickel, in which hydrogen molecules are initially adsorbed by van der Waals forces
before dissociating, leaving hydrogen atoms chemisorbed on nickel. Chemisorption is
distinguished by strong, often irreversible interactions that occur at higher temperatures
and high adsorption heats (20-100 kcal/mol) (Arun, Bahl. 2002).
 Figure 1. Activated Carbon Adsorbs Gases and Chemicals
Gas adsorption by solid adsorbents has distinct characteristics. Adsorption is a
surface phenomenon, and the amount of adsorption is proportional to surface area. The
total amount of gas adsorbed increases proportionally to the adsorbent's surface area.
Finely divided metals (nickel, platinum) and porous materials (charcoal, silica gel) have a
large surface area and make excellent solid adsorbents. The type of gas also influences
how much gas is adsorbed by a solid. Gases with a higher critical temperature liquefy
more easily and are better adsorbed. For example, 1 g of activated charcoal can absorb 380
mL of sulfur dioxide (critical temperature 157°C), 16 mL of methane (critical temperature
-83°C), and 4.5 mL of hydrogen (critical temperature -20°C).
Physical adsorption is the concentration of gas molecules on a solid surface,
analogous to gas condensation into liquid. As a result, it is an exothermic process with
relatively low adsorption temperatures. However, chemisorption requires the formation of
true chemical bonds, which results in higher adsorption heats. Physical adsorption is a
reversible process in which a gas adsorbed on a solid can be removed (desorbed) using
reverse temperature and pressure. Chemisorption is usually irreversible due to the
formation of a surface compound. Physical adsorption occurs quickly at low temperatures
and decreases as temperature rises, according to Le Chatelier's Principle. Chemisorption
increases with temperature and can be switched from physical adsorption to
chemisorption. Adsorption increases as pressure rises, while desorption occurs when
pressure falls. Adsorption of a monomolecular layer of gas occurs at low pressure. At high
pressures, a multimolecular layer can form (Arun, Bahl. 2002).

The amount of gas adsorbed is determined by the temperature and equilibrium

pressure (P). An adsorption isotherm is defined as the relationship between a gas's
equilibrium pressure and the amount adsorbed on a solid adsorbent at any constant
temperature. It may take the form of an equation or a graphical curve. The adsorption of a
gas on a solid adsorbent in a closed vessel is a reversible process:

Free Gas↔ Gas Adsorbed on Solid

Adsorption isotherm refers to the relationship between a gas’s equilibrium pressure

and the amount it adsorbs onto a solid surface at a constant temperature. This relationship
can be represented graphically or with an equation. Freundlich proposed an empirical
model for this relationship, known as the Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm, which can be
expressed mathematically as follows:
1
w
=k × P n ……………………….………….…(1)
m
C C 1
= + …………………………………...(2)
N Nm K × Nm

C. TOOLS AND MATERIALS

The equipments required for this research is as follows:
Table 1. Tools
No. Tools Quantity
1 Erlenmeyer (250 mL) 12
2 Watch Glass 2
3 Volumetric Pipette (10 mL + 25 mL) 2
4 Beaker Glass (600 mL) 2
5 Funnel 1
6 Burette 2
7 Filter Paper 6
8 Separator Funnel 1
9 Thermometer 1

Table 2. Materials
No. Materials Quantity
1 Activated Charcoal 6g
 2 Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) 700 mL
3 NaOH (0,1 N) 350 mL
4 Phenolphtalein Indicator 3 mL

D. METHODOLOGY
1. Clean and dry a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. This flask must be equipped with a
cover (plastic).
2. Place 1 gram (weigh accurately) of activated carbon into six out of seven
Erlenmeyer flasks.
3. Prepare acetic acid solutions with concentrations of 0.15 M, 0.12 M, 0.09 M, 0.06
M, 0.03 M, and 0.015 M, each with a volume of 100 ml. These solutions can be
prepared by diluting a 0.15 N solution.
4. Into the Erlenmeyer flask without activated carbon, add 100 ml of 0.03 M acetic
acid solution; this sample will be used as a control.
5. Close all the flasks and shake them periodically for 30 minutes. Then, let them
stand for at least 1 hour to reach equilibrium.
6. Filter each solution using fine filter paper, discarding the first 10 ml of the filtrate
to avoid errors due to adsorption by the filter paper.
7. Titrate 25 ml of each filtrate with 0.1 N standard NaOH using phenolphthalein
(PP) indicator. Perform this titration twice for each solution.

E. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 3. Isothermic Adsorption Practicum Data
Initial Final Moles Volume
No. N Nm
Conc. Conc. Before After Total Titration
0,15
1 0,15 0,0375 0 0,0375 0 6,05 0
(Control)
−4
2 0,15 0,018 0,0375 4 , 6 ×10 0,037 2,2224 4,6 2,22
−4
3 0,11 0,011 0,0275 2.7 ×10 0,0272 1,6338 2,7 1,64
−4
4 0,07 0,008 0,0175 2 ×10 0,0173 1,038 2 1,04
−4
5 0,03 0,004 0,0075 0.9 ×10 0,0074 0,4446 0,9 0,45

DISCUSSION
 The adsorption process involves the accumulation of dissolved substances in a
solution on the surface of an adsorbent, which results in a physical-chemical bond between
the substance and the adsorbent. Modern purification systems use a variety of techniques,
such as the coagulation-flocculation process in textile wastewater treatment to remove
colour, or the use of activated carbon in the batik industry to remove dyes from
wastewater, thereby reducing environmental damage. The high adsorption capacity of
activated carbon makes it an effective adsorbent (Day, 2002).
The objective of this isotherm adsorption practicum is to study the adsorption of an
acetic acid solution at a constant temperature. Acetic acid was used as the adsorbate in the
experiment, and activated carbon served as the adsorbent. Six different concentrations of
acetic acid (0,15 M; 0,12 M; 0,09 M; 0,06 M; 0,03 M; and 0,015 M) were tested in
comparison to a 0,03 M control solution. Each concentration was treated with one gram of
activated carbon.
The procedure began by preparing the equipment and materials, then weighing and
adding 1 gram of activated carbon into Erlenmeyer flasks labeled 1 through 6. Acetic acid
solutions of various concentrations were prepared in 100 mL volumetric flasks and
transferred to the Erlenmeyer flasks. A control solution was also prepared. To prevent
evaporation, each flask was sealed with aluminium foil. To achieve equilibrium, the
solutions in the Erlenmeyer flasks were shaken for 30 minutes and then left to stand for 15
minutes.
Following equilibration, each solution was filtered through filter paper to remove the
activated carbon. To avoid errors caused by adsorption on the filter paper, the first 10 mL
of filtrate was discarded. 25 mL of each solution’s filtrate was then titrated with 0.1 M
NaOH, with phenolphthalein (PP) as an indicator. Titration results for each acetic acid
concentration were recorded.
 C Final vs N (Moles Absorbed)
2.5
f(x) = 127.300238663485 x + 0.0298725536992839
2 R² = 0.96571216352092

1.5
N

0.5

0
0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01 0.012 0.014 0.016 0.018 0.02
C Final

Graphic 1. Final Concentration vs Absorbed N

By using Langmuir equation, we can calculate the data we have gathered from the
practicum and make the graph based on the result of Langmuir equation calculation:
C C 1
= + ………………………………...(3)
N Nm K × Nm
C
Thus we found the gradient of the graph y=127 ,3 x +0,0299. In this context, y= and
N
1 1
x=C . Resulting in the form of y=mx+c where m= and the intercept c= ,
Nm K × Nm
where C represents the final concentration of acetic acid, N is the moles of acetic acid
absorbed per gram of activated carbon and Nm is the maximum adsorption capacity.
Given the gradient 𝑚 is 127,3 and the intercept 𝑐 is 0,0299, the maximum adsorption
capacity 𝑁𝑚 is calculated to be 0,008 mol/gram, and the Langmuir constant 𝐾 is 1011,7
L/mole. This data suggests that as the concentration of acetic acid increases, more moles
are adsorbed, until a saturation point of 0,008 mol/gram is reached. The specific surface
area of the activated carbon was determined using the equation:
−20
A=( Nm × No× δ ) 10 ……………………………..(4)
Where No represents Avogadro’s number and A represents the acetic acid adsorption area.
The resulting surface area of 1011,7 m2/g is exceptionally large, demonstrating activated
carbon’s excellent adsorption capability and effectiveness in removing impurities from
solutions.

F. CONCLUSION
 The adsorption isotherm practicum effectively demonstrated the adsorption process,
with acetic acid as the adsorbate and activated carbon as the adsorbent. The experiment
showed that activated carbon significantly reduces the concentration of acetic acid,
confirming its effectiveness in adsorption processes. The findings are consistent with the
Langmuir adsorption model, which is widely used to describe adsorption properties and
provides a framework for understanding adsorbent capacity and efficiency.
The extremely large surface area of activated carbon demonstrates its effectiveness.
This large surface area is important for adsorption because it provides more sites for acetic
acid molecules to attach, thereby increasing the overall capacity of the adsorbent. The
adsorption process involves physical and chemical interactions, which have been shown to
be extremely efficient when activated carbon is used.
The practicum also highlights the practical applications of activated carbon in various
industries. For example, activated carbon is used in water treatment to remove organic
compounds and chlorine, thereby improving taste and lowering health risks. In the air
purification industry, it is used to trap harmful gases and odors. In the medical field,
activated carbon is also used to treat poisoning and overdoses by adsorbing toxic
substances in the gastrointestinal tract.
Overall, the practicum demonstrated not only the fundamental principles of
adsorption, but also the enormous potential of activated carbon as an adsorbent. Its ability
to remove impurities from solutions makes it an essential part of environmental
management and industrial processes, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Attachment
1. Appendix
a. Final Molarity of Acetic Acid
M CH COOH ×V CH COOH =M NaOH ×V NaOH
3 3

Known information:
M CH COOH =molarity of acetic acid
3

V CH COOH =volume of acetic acid

3

M NaOH =molarity of sodium hydroxide

V NaOH =volume of sodium hydroxide

Thus,
M NaOH ×V NaOH
M CH COOH =
3
V CH COOH
3

0 , 1× 6 , 05
M CH COOH =
3
25
M CH COOH =0,024 M
3

b. Initial Moles, Final Moles, and Adsorbed Moles

 Initial and final moles of acetic acid can be calculated using the following
equation:
n=M CH COOH × V CH COOH
3 3

the number of moles adsorbed can be calculated by subtracting the

difference between the initial moles and the final moles as follows:
∆ n=|n final−n initial|

Thus,
ninitial =M CH COOH × V CH COOH
3 3

ninitial =0 , 15 ×0,025
ninitial =0,0375 moles

n final=M CH COOH ×V CH COOH

3 3

n final=0,018 ×0,025
−4
n final=4 , 6× 10 moles
∆ n=|n final−n initial|

∆ n=|4 , 6 ×10−4−0,0375|
∆ n=0,03704

c. Adsorbed Moles of Acetic Acid

∆n
N=
mactivated carbon
Known information:
mactivated carbon=mass of activated carbon
∆ n=mole difference
N=adsorbed moles

Thus,
0,03704
N=
1
N=0,03704

d. Maximum Total Adsorbed Moles

 1
m=
Nm
Known information:
m=gradient
Nm=maximum adsorbed moles

Thus,
1
m=
Nm
1
Nm=
m
Nm=0,008 g /mol

e. Langmuir Constant
1
c=
K × Nm
Known information:
c=constant
Nm=maximum adsorbed moles
K=Langmuir constant

Thus,
1
c=
K × Nm
1
K=
c × Nm
1
K=
0 , 03 ×0,008
K=0,0026 L/mol

f. Langmuir Constant
1
c=
K × Nm
Known information:
c=constant
Nm=maximum adsorbed moles
K=Langmuir constant
 Thus,
1
c=
K × Nm
1
K=
c × Nm
1
K=
0 , 03 ×0,008
K=0,0026 L/mol

g. Surface Area of Activated Carbon

−20
A=( Nm × No× δ ) 10
Thus,
−20
A=( Nm × No× δ ) 10
A=¿
2
A=1011, 7 m / g
2. Interim Report