adsorátum

Adsorbatum is a term used in chemistry and materials science to refer to a substance that has become attached to the surface of another substance through adsorption. The substance that adsorbs is called the adsorbate, and the substance to which it adsorbs is called the adsorbent. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon, meaning it occurs only at the interface between two phases, typically a solid and a fluid (liquid or gas).

The nature of the interaction between the adsorbate and adsorbent can vary. Physisorption involves weak intermolecular forces, such as van der Waals forces, and is generally reversible. Chemisorption, on the other hand, involves the formation of chemical bonds between the adsorbate and the adsorbent, making it a stronger and often irreversible process.

Adsorbates can be molecules, ions, or even atoms. Common examples include gases adsorbing onto solid surfaces, solutes adsorbing onto activated carbon in water purification, or proteins adsorbing onto medical implants. The amount of adsorbate that can bind to an adsorbent is determined by factors such as the surface area of the adsorbent, the chemical properties of both the adsorbate and adsorbent, and the environmental conditions like temperature and pressure. Understanding adsorbates and their interactions is crucial in various applications, including catalysis, chromatography, environmental remediation, and drug delivery.