sorbenttyper

A sorbent is a material that captures substances from a gas or liquid phase through sorption, which can involve adsorption (adhesion to a surface) or absorption (uptake into the sorbent). In some cases chemisorption, involving chemical bonding, plays a role. Sorbents are used to remove contaminants, separate components, protect equipment, or purify products.

Sorbents can be classified by material, mechanism, or porosity. Common categories include natural and synthetic materials, with activated carbon, silica gel, and alumina as widely used adsorbents; zeolites and clays as crystalline or layered minerals; polymeric resins for selective binding; and newer materials such as metal-organic frameworks. Porosity is another distinction: microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous sorbents affect capacity and selectivity. Sorption can be purely physical (physisorption) or involve chemical interactions (chemisorption).

Key sorvent types and typical applications include:

- Activated carbon: large surface area, broad adsorption of organic compounds; used in water and air purification.

- Silica gel and alumina: polar adsorbents used for drying and purification of solvents and gases.

- Zeolites: porous crystalline aluminosilicates enabling selective separations and ion exchange.

- Clays and natural adsorbents: cost-effective spill cleanup and pollutant retention.

- Polymeric resins: selective binding in chromatography and solid-phase extraction.

- Metal-organic frameworks: tunable porosity for gas capture and advanced separations.

Regeneration and disposal are important considerations. Some sorbents can be thermally or chemically regenerated; others are single-use and become hazardous waste. Selection depends on capacity, selectivity, regeneration potential, temperature and moisture tolerance, compatibility with the target substance, and cost.