Physisorption vs chemisorption
Surface Chemistry and Colloids · Chemistry
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H₂ on nickel: at 300 K little sticks; at 500 K much sticks; cooling doesn't release it. Which type? Step 1: Needs heat to start → activation energy → chemisorption. Step 2: Irreversible on cooling → chemical bonds formed. Step 3: ΔH would measure ~−100 kJ/mol, far above van der Waals range. Step 4: This chemisorbed H is what hydrogenates oils on Ni catalysts. Catalysis needs chemisorption — physisorption is too weak to react.