Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To cause a substance to be released or removed from a surface on which it was previously adsorbed (held by physical or chemical attraction). This is a technical process, often involving the application of heat, a change in pressure, or the introduction of another substance.
2. Verb (intransitive):
   • For a substance to become released or to go away from a surface to which it was previously adsorbed.

Usage

This word is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts, especially in chemistry, physics, materials science, and surface engineering. It describes the reverse process of "adsorb."

Examples

• Verb (transitive):
  • The researchers heated the catalyst to desorb the reaction products.
  • A vacuum was applied to desorb the gases from the metal surface.
• Verb (intransitive):
  • At high temperatures, the molecules will desorb from the carbon filter.
  • The contaminant did not desorb easily, even after cleaning.

Advanced Usage

• "Thermally desorb": To remove an adsorbed substance by applying heat.
  • The sample was thermally desorbed and analyzed by the spectrometer.
• "Desorption energy": The minimum amount of energy required to remove an adsorbed atom or molecule from a surface.
  • Calculating the desorption energy helps understand the strength of the surface bond.

Variants and Related Words

• Desorption (n): The process or phenomenon of desorbing.
  • The desorption of water vapor was monitored over time.
• Adsorb (v): The opposite process; to accumulate (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface.
  • Activated carbon can adsorb many impurities.
• Absorb (v): To take in or soak up (a substance) throughout its volume, not just on the surface. (Note: This is a different, though sometimes confused, concept).
  • A sponge absorbs water into its pores.

Synonyms

• Release (from a surface)
• Detach (from a surface)
• Eject (from a surface)

Antonyms

• Adsorb
• Attach (to a surface)
• Bind (to a surface)

Verb

1. remove from a surface on which it is adsorbed
   • the substance was desorbed
2. go away from the surface to which (a substance) is adsorbed