102. What do you understand by activation of adsorbent? How is it achieved?

Answer:
Activation of adsorbent implies increasing its adsorbing power. It is achieved by the following ways:

(i) Activation of the adsorbent is carried out by mechanical rubbing or by subjecting it to some chemical reaction.

(ii) Some adsorbents are activated by strong heating in contact with super-heated steam. For example, charcoal which is commonly employed in adsorption of gases, is activated by subjecting it to the action of superheated steam. This will remove the molecules of gases like CH₄, C₂H₆ (hydrocarbons) that are occupying these pores.

(iii) To increase the adsorbing power, the adsorbent is sub divided into small fine pieces. By doing so, the surface area increases and so is the adsorbing power.