adsorb

American  

[ad-sawrb, -zawrb] / ædˈsɔrb, -ˈzɔrb /

verb (used with object)

Physical Chemistry.

1. to gather (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface in a condensed layer.

   Charcoal will adsorb gases.

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adsorb British  

/ ədˈsɔːb, -ˈzɔːb /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which a substance, usually a gas, accumulates on the surface of a solid forming a thin film, often only one molecule thick Compare absorb

   to adsorb hydrogen on nickel

   oxygen adsorbs on tungsten

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Other Word Forms

• adsorbability
  noun
• adsorption
  noun
• adsorbable
  adjective
• adsorbent
  adjective
• adsorptive
  adjective
• adsorptively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of adsorb

First recorded in 1880–85; ad- + (ab)sorb

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adsorb

By restructuring the catalyst surface and changing how reactants adsorb, dissociate, and move through the reaction pathway, the team achieved a space-time yield of 1.2 g·gcat-1·h-1 at 300 ℃ and 3 MPa.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 14, 2026

This process can reduce the ability of the metal to adsorb molecules like H2 and CO.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 21, 2026

First they used classical computers to model how molecules adsorb and desorb from catalyst particles; then they applied their quantum computer to identify the most likely reaction pathway of the electrons and protons involved.

From Science Magazine ● May 30, 2024

Finally, it will be run through huge tanks of granular activated carbon, which will adsorb any residual hydrogen peroxide and remove other harmful compounds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2022

Such ‘breathing’ and ‘gating’ may make it easier, or harder, than expected for a synthesized MOF to adsorb a chemical.

From Nature