Term information
Model that mathematically describes features relating to adsorption. "Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions, biomolecules or molecules of gas, liquid, or dissolved solids to a surface.[1] This process creates a film of the adsorbate (the molecules or atoms being accumulated) on the surface of the adsorbent. It differs from absorption, in which a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid.[2] The term sorption encompasses both processes, while desorption is the reverse of adsorption. Similar to surface tension, adsorption is a consequence of surface energy. In a bulk material, all the bonding requirements (be they ionic, covalent, or metallic) of the constituent atoms of the material are filled by other atoms in the material. However, atoms on the surface of the adsorbent are not wholly surrounded by other adsorbent atoms and therefore can attract adsorbates. The exact nature of the bonding depends on the details of the species involved, but the adsorption process is generally classified as physisorption (characteristic of weak van der Waals forces) or chemisorption (characteristic of covalent bonding). It may also occur due to electrostatic attraction[3]." source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adsorption [1] # "Glossary". The Brownfields and Land Revitalization Technology Support Center. http://www.brownfieldstsc.org/glossary.cfm?q=1. Retrieved 2009-12-21. [2] "absorption (chemistry)". Memidex (WordNet) Dictionary/Thesaurus. http://www.memidex.com/absorption+chemistry. Retrieved 2010-11-02. [3] J Colloid Interface Sci. 2010 Jul 1;347(1):15-24. Epub 2010 Mar 7. Interaction of cement model systems with superplasticizers investigated by atomic force microscopy, zeta potential, and adsorption measurements. Ferrari L., Kaufmann J., Winnefeld F., Plank J.,