Difference between Physical and Chemical Absorption

Physical absorption and chemical absorption are two types of absorption processes; the chemical reaction is dependent between solvent and solute.

Including the bulk properties of a liquid, solid or gas is a phenomenon of absorption. It includes the molecules or atoms that pass the surface and entering the material volume.

Physical absorption:

Physisorption or physical adsorption is a kind of adsorption that takes place in contact with a solid or liquid surface for most particles.

Chemical absorption:

Chemical absorption is a chemical reaction process among the absorbing substances and absorbed substances, it occurs when the molecules or atoms are absorbed.

Here are some points of difference between Physical and Chemical Absorption.

Physical Absorption	Chemical Absorption
It is a reversible process of absorption	It is an irreversible process of absorption
Equilibrium is achieved easily	Equilibrium is achieved gradually
Due to the forces of intermolecular van der Waal’s, physical absorption occurs	Due to the chemical bond formation, Chemical Absorption occurs
Less Heat of adsorption	The heat of adsorption is very large
Decreases with temperature rise	Increase with temperature rise
Increased pressure increases adsorption	The decrease in pressure doesn’t lead to desorption
Adsorbed easily if the gases are liquefiable easily, it depends on the nature of the gas.	Significantly specific and relies on the nature of the adsorbent and adsorbate
On the adsorbent surface, the multimolecular layers are formed	On the adsorbent surface, the unimolecular layers are formed

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