What are the applications of adsorption in chemical analysis?
The applications of adsorption include-
• Gas masks – It is a device which consists of activated charcoal or some mixture of adsorbents. It is worn in region like coal mines where it adsorbs the poisonous gases like CO, CH4, etc.
• Control of humidity – Silica and aluminium gels are used as adsorbents for removing moisture and in controlling the humidity.
• Removal of colouring matter from solutions – Animal charcoal is used as decolouriser in the sugar industry.
• Heterogeneous catalysis – Adsorption of reactants on the solid surface of the catalysts increase the rate of a reaction.
• Separation of inert gases – A mixture of noble gases can be separated by adsorption on coconut charcoal at different temperatures. This is because these gases are adsorbed to different extent by the charcoal.
• Deionisation of water – Water is deionised with the help of different anionic and cationic exchange resins. These resins adsorb different ions present in water and thus making it free from ions.