question_answer 14)

What do you understand by activation of adsorbent? How is it achieved?

Answer:

Activation of an adsorbent means, increasing the adsorbing power of the adsorbent. This can be achieved as follows: (i) Metallic adsorbents can be activated by making their surface rough by mechanical rubbing or by chemical action. By doing so, it will increase the specific area of the adsorbent. (ii) By subdividing the adsorbent into smaller particles to increase the surface area. (iii) By removing the gases already adsorbed, by heating the adsorbent with superheated steam or in vaccum at a temperature between 623 to 1273 K. (iv) Wood charcoal can be activated by heating it between 650 K and 1330 K