Adsorbent and Absorbent, the words look and sound similar and are sometimes even used in place of one another. However, adsorbent and absorbent refer to two different types of physical and chemical processes.
| Difference Between Adsorbent and Absorbent
What is Adsorption? What is Absorption? What are the Main Differences Between Adsorbents and Absorbents? [5 Key Differences] |
What is Adsorption?
Adsorption is a process by which a liquid, gas or dissolved solid adheres itself to the surface of an adsorbent material. Adsorption does not actually involve taking in, or absorbing, the liquid, gas or dissolved solid into the material.
One of the most common examples of an adsorbent is silica gel. Silica gel is an adsorbent which is often used to protect certain items from moisture damage. Medications, food, or other potentially delicate items, which need to be protected from moisture damage are often packaged with silica gel.
What is Absorption?
Absorption refers to a process by which a liquid or gas is taking into an absorbent material and absorbed, or dissolved, uniformly inside of it. Absorption, unlike adsorption, actually involves taking in the liquid or gas.
The most common type of absorbents includes household items like bathroom towels, paper napkins and paper towels, and other fabrics.
What are the Main Differences Between Adsorbents and Absorbents?
- Absorbents absorb some amount of liquid or gas into it. Adsorbent is a process by which some liquid or gas gets accumulated on the surface of a solid material.
- Absorbents are related to volume, Adsorbent is related to surface.
- In absorption, something moves inside an object whereas in adsorption, the substance forms a layer on the surface of an object.
- Adsorption involves adhesion and absorption involves dissolution or diffusion.
- In absorbent materials, the atoms, molecules or particles are taken internally. On the other hand, the particles, atoms and molecules only adhere to the surface in Adsorbent materials.
Bee Chems is one of the leading manufacturers of adsorbents and absorbents in India. In addition to adsorbents and absorbents, the company also offers Colloidal Silica, Investment casting slurry systems, Silica Gel-Sorbogel, Activated Alumina-Actal, Sorbo Pouch-Silica Gel pouches, Dew Pouch-Activated Desiccant Packs and various other products.
Bee Chems 