FREUNDLICH ADSORPTION ISOTHERM

I. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this lab is to determine the Freundlich adsorption isotherms
according to the process of oxalic acid adsorption on activated charcoal.
II. BASIC THEORIES
a. Adsorption
Adsorption or absorption of the gas layer formation on the surface of a solid or
liquid occasionally. In the adsorption process there are substances that are absorbed
on a surface of another substance called the adsorbate, while the surface is a
substance that can absorb another substance called adsorbent. Adsorption or
absorption different from the absorption or uptake, because the absorption process of
the absorbed substance penetrates into the absorbent substance. In chemical
absorption is the entry of gas into a solid or solution, or the entry of liquids into
solids. While in physics, absorption is the change of energy of electromagnetic
radiation, sound, particle beam, and others into other energy forms if passed at a
medium. When a photon is absorbed will be a transition to the objec excited
(Daintith, 1994).
Adsorption can occur due to electrostatic interaction forces or van der Waals
forces between molecules (physisorption / fisisorpsi) or by the chemical interaction
between molecules (chemisorption / kimisorpsi) (Fatimah, 2009). Physical
adsorption is the adsorption caused by Van der Waals forces that exist on the surface
adsorbens, wherein the adsorbent is usually low heat and place in layers on the
surface of the adsorbent is generally greater than one mole. By contrast, the
chemical adsorption, adsorption occurs due to the reaction between the absorbed
substance and the adsorbent, wherein the layer of molecules on the surface of the
adsorbent is only one layer and a high adsorption heat. (In the adsorption process
that occurs in kimisorpsi, particles attached to the surface by forming a chemical
bond (usually covalent bonds), and tend to look for a place that maximizes
coordination number with the substrate. events caused by the pull of the adsorption
of molecules on the surface adsorbens. where the adsorbent used in the experiment is
active carbon, while the substance is absorbed acetic acid (Keenan, 1999).
b. Factors Affecting the Adsorption
Adsorption is a phenomenon in which the molecules of the fluid (gas, vapor, or
liquid) to selectively undergo a process of mass transfer to the solid surface sinks.
Adsorption occurs because of the potential difference between the adsorbate
molecules with the active surface of the pores of the adsorbent. Styles that lead to
adsorbate molecules are difusional terjerap into the pores of the adsorbent, and
bound to a specific time. In the process of adsorption in solution, the amount of
adsorbed substance depends on several factors, namely:
- Type of adsorbent
- The type of adsorbed substance (adsorbate)
- The concentration of each substance
- The active surface area of adsorbent
- Temperature
- Pressure
At one adsorbens with materials and certain types, the amount of gas that can be
absorbed by the greater if the higher critical temperature, liquid or gas. If the surface
area of an adsorbent that is used more widely, the more gas that can be absorbed.
Hard surface area is determined by absorption is usually calculated per unit mass of
adsorbent. Absorption of the gas solids depending on the type of adsorbent, the type
of gas, the adsorbent surface area, temperature and gas pressure (Atkins, 1990).
Adsorption events occur when two phases are on a clean surface is added a third
component, the third component of this will greatly affect the surface properties. An
added component is a molecule adsorbed on the surface (and hence called the active
surface). The number of substances that are absorbed per weight adsorbens,
depending on the concentration of solutes. However, when adsorbens already
saturated the concentration is no longer influential. Adsorption and desorption
(release) of an equilibrium (Atkins, 1990).
c. Activated Carbon

Activated carbon, or often referred to as activated charcoal, is a type of carbon

has a very large surface area. This can be achieved by activating the carbon or
charcoal. Normally activation only aims to increase its surface area, but some
businesses are also associated with increased ability of activated carbon adsorption
itself (www.wikipedia.com).
 Picture 1. Activated carbon

Activated carbon is an amorphous material having a large surface area that

was built by the internal pore structure through the process of carbonization and
activation. Activated carbon has a surface area of about 500 m2/gram m2/gram can
even reach 1500. Activated carbon has a different density. Activated carbon also has
a level of violence is different to a certain pressure or shear. Differences in density
and hardness of activated carbon depends on the raw materials and power on. Based
on its form, activated carbon can be divided into four categories, namely:

1. Activated carbon powder (powdered activated carbon) powder with a particle

size of less than 0.8 mm.

2. Granular activated carbon (granular activated carbon), having particles of

uneven size from 0.2 to 5.0 mm.

3. Activated carbon pellets (pellete activated carbon), cylindrical in shape with a

diameter of 0.8 to 5.0 mm. activated carbon is generally used for applications
in the gas phase because it has a low dust content, low pressure drop but have
a high mechanical strength.

4. Activated carbon coated with a polymer (polymer coated carbon), the pores of
the carbon that can be coated with a biopolymer that is possible to produce a
smooth surface with no cover and permeable pores, resulting in a carbon that
can be for hermoperfusi is a treatment technique which is pressed into the
blood of patients with adsorbent for removing toxic compounds from the
blood.
 Activated charcoal can be made of materials containing carbon and either
organic or inorganic, but usually comes on the market and a coconut shell, wood,
and coal. At present, activated charcoal has been used extensively in the chemical
industry, food or beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

d. Freundlich adsorption isotherm

For adsorbents with specific surface area, the higher the greater the
concentration of adsorbate substance can be absorbed. Adsorption processes are in
equilibrium when the rate equal to the speed of adsorption desorbsi. When one
substance is increased or decreased there will be a new equilibrium. Desorbsi
adsorption is the opposite, namely the events re-release of the adsorbate from the
adsorbent surface. Adsorption isotherm is that adsorption occurs at constant
temperature.

For a given adsorption system, the relationship between the number of

substances that teradsorsi per unit area or per unit weight of adsorbent to the
concentration of solute at a given temperature is called the adsorption isotherm.

There are two equations are often used to describe the adsorption process on
solid surfaces, the Langmuir equation is known as the Langmuir adsorption isotherm
and the Freundlich equation is known as the Freundlich adsorption isotherm.
Langmuir equation is valid for the adsorption of a single layer (monolayer) on the
surface of a homogeneous substance. Langmuir equation can be derived
theoretically by assuming the occurrence of an equilibrium between the adsorbed
molecules and the molecules are still free, can be written as follows.

C 1 1
  C
x a ( x ) maks ( x ) maks
m m m

where,C = concentration of solute molecules that are free. x = mole of solute

adsorbed by m grams of adsorbant. a = constant

x
   kapasitas monolayer
 m  maks

In the equation of Freundlich adsorption isotherms, expressed as:

 x
= kC1/n
m

where, x = weight substances (solutes) are adsorbed (grams). m = weight of

adsorbent (g). C = concentration of the solution after adsorbed (adsorption
equilibrium is reached). k = Freundlich constants. n = the other constants.

x
These equations can be transformed into: log = log k + n log C
m

This equation reveals that when the adsorption process obeyed a Freundlich
isotherm, then the channel log x / m against log C would be a straight line. Based on
the straight line obtained in the channel, the price for constant n and k can be
determined.

III. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS

Equipments Amounts Materials Amounts
Porcelain disk 1 pcs 0.3 M; 0.2 M;
Erlenmeyer flask 6 pcs 0.1 M; 0.05 M;
Oxalic acid solution
Volumetric Pipette 10 mL 1 pcs 0.01 M; and
0.005 M
Drop Pipette 1 pcs Activated coal 30 grams
Funnel 1 pcs NaOH standard 0.15 M
solution
Burette 50 mL 1 pcs phenolphthalein 5 mL
Watch glass 1 pcs Filter paper 10 peaces
Spatula 1 pcs

IV. PROCEDURE AND RESULT

No Procedures Observational Result
1 Activated charcoal by heating to a
temperature of 105oC for ± 1 hour
2 A total of 1 grams each activated It was done
charcoal put in a closed Erlenmeyer
flask
3 Oxalic acid solution prepared with
various concentrations namely 0.30
N; 0.20 N; 0.10 N; 0.05 N, 0.01 N;
0.005 N in 100 mL

4 Each solution poured into

Erlenmeyer flask has been added
activated charcoal, then close the
Erlenmeyer flask and keep ±1 hours
to make it equilibrium.

5 Each solution filtered by filter paper.

6 Filtrate titrated by NaOH 0,1 N 0.3 N = 20.2 mL

solution with PP as an indicator. 0.2 N = 13.0 mL
0.1 N = 6.0 mL
0.05 N = 2.7 mL
0.01 N = 0.6 mL
0.005 N = 0.1 mL
V. DISCUSSION
In this experiment determined the price of the adsorption constants in the Freundlich
isotherm adsorption process of H2C2O4 toward activated charcoal. The determination of these
constants can be done through several stages. Six Erlenmeyer flasks were filled with 1 grams
of activated charcoal to each flask was and also added 20mL of H2C2O4 with different
concentrations. H2C2O4 solution concentration was used are 0.30 N in the flask I; 0.20 N in
flask II: 0.10 N on the flask III; 0.05 N in the IV flask; 0.01 N on the flask V, and VI 0.005 N
on flask.
Once activated charcoal and H2C2O4 solution was mixed then it stirred. This mixture
was allowed to stand in 1 hour while shaken at regular intervals. This is done to reach
equilibrium due to activated carbon is added to a liquid (solution H2C2O4) require
considerable time to reach equilibrium so that will not affect the experimental results
obtained. Mixing process carried out to provide an opportunity for the activated carbon
particles in contact with the adsorbate (H2C2O4).
After giving contact time between activated charcoal with H2C2O4 in 3 hours, then the
mixture was separate. The filtrate was titrated in this filtration a colorless filtrate is obtained.
The filtrate obtained is H2C2O4 residual that cannot be absorbed by activated charcoal
anymore.
Titration process filtrate obtained in this experiment using a solution of NaOH as
titrane (which is filled in burette) and phenolphthalein (PP) as an indicator. Where the
titration was stopped after color of titrate (filtrate) is change. Titrate color change is from
colorless to pink. This color change indicates that the titration process has been the
achievement end point of titration. The purpose of this titration is to determine the
concentration of residual H2C2O4, the concentration of which can no longer afford H2C2O4
adsorbs by activated charcoal.
In this experiment, the measured variable is the volume of NaOH used to titrated
H2C2O4 after treatment (after the addition of activated charcoal). Concentration of adsorbed
H2C2O4 can be known as the concentration of the initial and final H2C2O4 known. Whereas
the final concentration H2C2O4 can be determined by titrating the filtrate obtained after a
given treatment.
H2C2O4 concentration of adsorbed can be determined by subtracting the initial
concentration to final concentration. Furthermore H2C2O4 adsorbed mass can be determined.
The following is the data obtained on the titration of the filtrate (waste that cannot be
adsorbed H2C2O4 again by activated charcoal).
 Tabel 1. Data of filtrate volume and the result of titration which is gotten in experiment
The
Total volume of
The
Initial volume of filtrate
concentration The volume of titran
concentration filtrate (H2C2O4
of titrane (NaOH) which is used
of H2C2O4 which is remains)
(NaOH)
gotten which is
titrated
0.30 N 10 mL 5 mL 0.1 N 20.2 mL

0.20 N 10 mL 5 mL 0.1 N 13 mL

0.10 N 10 mL 5 mL 0.1 N 6 mL

0.05 N 10 mL 5 mL 0.1 N 2.7 mL

0.01 N 10 mL 5 mL 0.1 N 0.6 mL

0.005 N 10 mL 5 mL 0.1 N 0.1 mL

Based on data in Table 1 above, mass of H2C2O4 that can be absorbed by activated
charcoal to each tube can be determined through the calculation as follows.
1) Test tube I
Initial concentration of H2C2O4 = 0.30 N
Initial volume H2C2O4 = 20 mL = 0,02 L
Concentration NaOH = 0.1 N
Volume of NaOH in titration = 20.2 mL
Total volume of filtrate = 10 mL
Volume filtrate (remain H2C2O4) in titration = 5 mL
 Mass H2C2O4 initial
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.3 N =
0.02 L
Initial mass H2C2O4 = 0.3 N x 0.02 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.54 gram
  Concentration H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
 Titration I
N H2C2O4 x VH2C2O4 = NNaOH x VNaOH
N NaOH  VNaOH 0.1 N  20.2 mL
N H2C2O4 =   0.404N
VH 2C2O4 5mL

 Mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal

mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.404 N =
0.01 L
Mass H2C2O4 = 0.404 N x 0.01 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.3636 gram.
 Mass H2C2O4 that adsorb (x)
x = initial mass H2C2O4 – mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
= 0.54 gram – 0.3636 gram
= 0.1764 gram
2) Test tube II
Concentration H2C2O4 initial = 0.20 N
Initial volume H2C2O4 = 20 mL = 0.02 L
Concentration NaOH = 0.1 N
Volume NaOH in titration = 13 mL
Volume filtrate (remain H2C2O4) in titration = 5 mL
Total volume of filtrate = 10 mL
 Initial mass H2C2O4
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

massa H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.20 N =
0.02 L
Initial mass H2C2O4 = 0.20 M x 0.02 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.36 gram
 Concentration H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
 Titration I
NH2C2O4 x VH2C2O4 = NNaOH x VNaOH
 N NaOH VNaOH 0.1 N 13mL
NH2C2O4 =   0.26 N
VH 2C2O4 5mL

 Mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal

mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.26 N =
0.01 L
Mass H2C2O4 = 0.26 N x 0.01 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.234 gram.
 Mass H2C2O4 that adsorb (x)
x = initial mass H2C2O4– mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
= 0.36 gram – 0.234 gram
= 0.126 gram
3) Test tube III
Initial concentration H2C2O4 = 0.10 N
Initial Volume H2C2O4 = 20 mL = 0.02 L
Concentration NaOH = 0.1N
Volume NaOH in titration = 6 mL
Volume filtrate (remain H2C2O4) in titration = 5 mL
Total volume of filtrate = 10 mL
 Initial mass H2C2O4
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.01 N =
0,02 L
Initial mass H2C2O4 = 0.10 N x 0.02 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.18 gram
 Concentration H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal:
Titration I
NH2C2O4 x VH2C2O4 = NNaOH x VNaOH
N NaOH  VNaOH 0.1 N  6 mL
NH2C2O4 =   0.12 N
VH 2C2O4 5 mL
  Mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.12 N =
0.01 L
Mass H2C2O4 = 0.12 N x 0.01 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.108 gram
 Mass H2C2O4 that adsorb (x)
x = initial mass H2C2O4– mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
= 0.18 gram – 0.108 gram
= 0.072 gram
4) Test tube IV
Initial concentration of H2C2O4 = 0.05N
Initial volume H2C2O4 = 20 mL = 0.02 L
Concentration of NaOH = 0.1 N
Volume of NaOH in titration I, II, and III = 2.7 mL
Total volume of filtrate = 10 mL
Volume filtrate (remain H2C2O4) in titration = 5mL
 Initial mass H2C2O4
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.05 N =
0.02 L
Initial mass H2C2O4 = 0.05 N x 0.02 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.09 gram
 Concentration H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
Titration I
NH2C2O4 x VH2C2O4 = NNaOH x VNaOH
N NaOH  VNaOH 0.1 N  2.7 mL
NH2C2O4 =   0.054N
VH 2C2O4 5mL

 Mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal

mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4
 mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.054 N =
0.01 L
Mass H2C2O4 = 0.054 N x 0.01 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.0486 gram.
 Mass H2C2O4 that adsorb (x)
x = initial mass H2C2O4– mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
= 0.09 gram – 0.0486 gram
= 0.0414 gram
5) Test tube V
Initial concentration H2C2O4 = 0.01 N
Initial volume H2C2O4 = 20 mL = 0.02 L
Concentration of NaOH = 0.1 N
Volume NaOH in titration I, II, and III = 0.6 mL
Volume filtrate (remain H2C2O4) in titration = 5 mL
Total volume filtrate = 10 mL
 Initial mass H2C2O4
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.01 N =
0.02 L
Initial mass H2C2O4 = 0.01 N x 0.02 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.018 gram
 Concentration H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
Titration
NH2C2O4 x VH2C2O4 = NNaOH x VNaOH
N NaOH VNaOH 0.1 N  0.6mL
NH2C2O4 =   0.012 N
VH 2C2O4 5mL

 Mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal

mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.012 N =
0.01 L
Mass H2C2O4 = 0.012 N x 0.01 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.0108 gram.
  Mass H2C2O4 that adsorb (x)
x = initial mass H2C2O4 – mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
= 0.018 gram – 0.0108 gram
= 0.0072 gram
6) Tabung VI
Initial concentration H2C2O4 = 0.005 N
Initial volume H2C2O4 = 20 mL = 0.02 L
Concentration NaOH = 0. 1 N
Volume NaOH in titration I, II, and III = 0.1 mL
Total volume filtrate = 10 mL
Volume filtrate (remain H2C2O4) in titration = 5 mL
 Initial mass of H2C2O4
mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

mass H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.005 N =
0.02 L
Initial mass of H2C2O4 = 0.005 N x 0.02 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.009 gram
 Concentration H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
Titration I
NH2C2O4 x VH2C2O4 = NNaOH x VNaOH
N NaOH  VNaOH 0.1 N  0.1 mL
NH2C2O4 =   0.002 N
VH 2C2O4 5 mL

 Mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal

mol H 2C2O4
Concentration H2C2O4 =
Volume H 2C2O 4

massa H 2 C 2 O 4
90 g mol -1
0.002 N =
0.01 L
Mass H2C2O4 = 0.002 N x 0.01 L x 90 gmol-1 = 0.0018 gram
 Mass H2C2O4 that adsorb (x)
x = initial mass H2C2O4 – mass H2C2O4 after mixed with activated charcoal
= 0.009 gram – 0.0018 gram = 0.0072 gram
From calculation above, got data as in table below.

Table 2. Data Calculation Results of Remain Oxalic Acid Concentration Adsorption Results
Concentrati
on H2C2O4 Mass
Mass x
Test after mixing (H2C2O4) x
Adsorben m Log Log C
tube by active which is m
t (m)
charcoal absorb (x)
(C)
I 1 gram 0.404 N 0.1764 0.1764 -0.75 -0.394
II 1 gram 0.26 N 0.126 0.126 -0.899 -0.585

III 1 gram 0.12 N 0.072 0.072 -1.143 -0.921

IV 1 gram 0.054 N 0.0414 0.0414 -1.383 -1.268

V 1 gram 0.012 N 0.0072 0.0072 -2.143 -1.921

VI 1 gram 0.002 N 0.0072 0.0072 -2.143 -2.699

Based on calculations in Table 2 above, then the curve can be obtained by the
x
relationship between the log toward the remain oxalic acid concentration adsorption
m
results by activated charcoal, which is as follows.
 The curve of relationship between log x/m toward log C
0
-3 -2.8 -2.6 -2.4 -2.2 -2 -1.8 -1.6 -1.4 -1.2 -1 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0
log C

-0.2
y = 1.3812x + 0.6498
-0.4
R² = 0.9207
-0.6

-0.8

-1

-1.2

-1.4
Log C
-1.6
Linear (Log C)
-1.8

-2

-2.2

-2.4

-2.6

-2.8

-3
log x/m

Picture 2 . The curve of relationship between log x/m toward log

Based on the curves in Figure 3 above, can be determined constants in the Freundlich
adsorption isotherm in the adsorption process of H2C2O4 toward activated charcoal. The
constants are the price of n and k. The price of n and k prices can be determined by straight
line regression equation obtained on the curve. Straight line equation obtained is: y = 1.3812x
+ 0.6498.
Through the curve can be known that the price of tan α equal to the slope or gradient
(m), where tan α = 1/n. In a straight line equation is also known that the price of m is 1.3812;
so that the price of n can be determined using the following equation.
m = 1/n
1.3812 = 1/n
n = 0.724
After got the price of n, then the price of k or Freundlich constant can be determined through
x
the equation of : log  log k  1 / n log C
m
The linear equation of the curve is : y = 1.3812x + 0.6498. The intersept is equal to the log k
= 0.6498. So, log k = 0.6498 and k = 100.6498 = 4.46

VI. Conclusion
Based on the discussion above, so it can be concluded that activated charcoal can
absorb H2C2O4, where the greater the initial concentration of H2C2O4 the greater the
adsorption. It can be known from the rest of H2C2O4 concentration decrease with increasing
magnitude of the initial concentration of H2C2O4 used with the same mass of activated
charcoal. In addition, based on calculations according to the Freundlich isotherm on the
adsorption of oxalic acid obtained price of n = 0.724, and the price of k = 4.46.

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