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Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm - Assumptions, Mathematical and Graphical Representations, Practice Problems and FAQ
Adsorption isotherms have been used extensively in research on environmental protection and adsorption strategies. Two of the most common approaches for forecasting a material's adsorption capacity are the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms.
Adsorption is of two types: physisorption and chemisorption. Because the mechanisms of both types of adsorption differ, we require different isotherms to describe them. This concept page will go into detail about the Langmuir Adsorption isotherm and the type of adsorption it deals with.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm and its Assumptions
- Mathematical Representation
- Graphical Representation
- Practice Problems
- Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm and its Assumptions
Based on the theoretical considerations of the kinetic theory, Langmuir derived an adsorption isotherm. This isotherm is termed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Langmuir considered two opposite processes taking place during adsorption namely, adsorption of the gas molecules on the surface of the solid and desorption of the adsorbed gas molecules from the surface of the solid.
Assumptions of Langmuir adsorption isotherm
1. Adsorbed gas is considered to behave ideally.
2. A solid surface is considered homogenous but contains a fixed number of adsorption sites on the surface.
3. Each site adsorbs a single molecule i.e. adsorption is unimolecular. As unimolecular adsorption occurs in the case of chemisorption, Langmuir adsorption isotherm works better for chemisorption.
4. Rate of adsorption is equal to the rate of desorption.
5. There is no lateral overlapping between adsorbed molecules.
Mathematical Representation
∝
∝
Fraction of surface covered = 
Pressure of the gas = P
For a reversible physisorption process,
Case 1: For adsorption
∝ 
… … … … … 
Where
is the adsorption rate constant.
Case 2: For desorption
… … … … … 
Where 
is the desorption rate constant.
We know,
Rate of adsorption = Rate of desorption
On equating equations and ,
On rearranging,
Dividing the numerator and the denominator by 
Let 
According to Langmuir, the extent of adsorption is proportional to
∝
∴ ∝
Where 
is a proportionality constant.
= 
… … … … … 
Where 
are Langmuir parameters
At high pressure, 
Using equation
becomes independent of pressure i.e. the surface is fully covered and change in pressure has no effect on further adsorption.
At low pressure, 
Using equation
increases linearly with pressure.
Graphical Representation
At low pressure,
At high pressure, 
Hence, Langmuir isotherm could explain the variation of the extent of adsorption with pressure for wider ranges of pressure.
Determination of Values of a and b
Taking the reciprocal of equation
… … … … … 
On comparing equation with the equation of a straight line, 
Slope (
= 
Intercept (
= 
Values of a and b can be determined using the slope and intercept of the 
vs 
curve.
Practice Problems
Q. 1. Langmuir isotherm is valid for which kind of adsorption?
a. Monolayer
b. Multilayer
c. Both A and B
d. None of the above
Answer: The Langmuir adsorption is valid for monolayer adsorption onto a homogeneous surface such that no interaction occurs between adsorbed species (adsorbent).
So, option (A) is the correct answer.
Q. 2. is a form of Langmuir isotherm obtained under which condition? a. At low pressure
b. At high pressure
c. Both A and B
d. None of the above
Answer: The general equation of Langmuir isotherm is given by the equation,
Where 
are Langmuir parameters
At low pressure,
So, option A) is the correct answer.
Q. 3. The plot of 
vs 
is:
a. Straight line plot
b. Exponential plot
c. Hyperbolic plot
d. Gaussian plot
Answer: 
is the required equation for plotting vs graph.
On comparing with the equation of a straight line,
Slope ( =
Intercept ( =
Thus, its a straight-line plot
So, option A) is the correct answer.
Q. 4. The true statements regarding Langmuir isotherm are
a. Surface is fully covered in case of high pressure.
b. Surface is fully covered in case of low pressure.
c. Both A and B\
d. None of the above
Answer: At high pressure,
From the equation, =
= 
= 
becomes independent of pressure i.e. the surface is fully covered and change in pressure has no effect on further adsorption.
So, option A) is the correct answer.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Q 1. How is Langmuir isotherm different from Freundlich isotherm?
| Langmuir isotherm | Freundlich isotherm |
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Q 2. What is adsorption isotherm in general?
Answer: The variation in the amount of gas adsorbed by the adsorbent with pressure at constant temperature can be expressed by a curve termed an adsorption isotherm.
Q 3. What is adsorption?
Answer: It is the accumulation of a molecular species at the surface rather than in the bulk of a solid or a liquid. The attachment of a gas, liquid, or dissolved material to a layer of atoms, ions, or molecules is known as adsorption. The process occurs on the surface of an adsorbent.
Q 4. What is the purpose of isotherms?
Answer: An isotherm is a line drawn at the same temperature that connects points on a map or graph. In meteorology, isotherms are widely used to observe temperature distribution over the Earth's surface or on a chart indicating steady or constant pressure.
Related Topics
| Catalysis | Adsorption |
| Properties of Colloids | Coagulation of Colloids |
| Emulsion | Colloidal Solutions |
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