Adsorption Kinetics and Isotherm Models: A Review

Abstract

Adsorption Kinetics describes the rate at which solute is adsorbed and the resident time of the adsorbates on the solid-liquid interface. Adsorption isotherms play important role in determining the interaction between adsorbate and adsorbent and the optimum adsorption capacity of adsorbent. This article considered selected adsorption kinetics and isotherms models. Pseudo first order, Pseudo second order, Elovich, Bhattacharya and Venkobachar, and Natarajan and Khalaf were adsorption kinetics reviewed on the assumption that the process behaves as heterogeneous reaction at solid-liquid interface. Adsorption kinetics equation presented takes the form of straight line, the slopes and intercepts of the plots are used to determine adsorption capacity of adsorbent, rate constant, rate of adsorption and intraparticle diffusion. Value of correlation coefficient obtained is used in determining the adsorption kinetics model that best describe the adsorption process. Langmuir, Freundlich, Radlich-Peterson, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevic adsorption isotherms were presented. Their slopes and intercepts provide insight on adsorption affinity, mean free energy, whether the adsorption is physisorption or chemisorptions, single or multilayer. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms reviewed provide essential information required for understanding adsorption process.

Keywords:   Adsorption; kinetics; isotherms; pseudo first order; Langmuir