Home / Blog / Recent Advances in Adsorption Isotherm Theory and Its Practical Applications in Nanomaterials

Recent Advances in Adsorption Isotherm Theory and Its Practical Applications in Nanomaterials

17 10 月, 2025From: BSD Instrument
Recent Advances in Adsorption Isotherm Theory and Its Practical Applications in Nanomaterials

​Abstract​

Adsorption isotherm theory is a fundamental concept in surface and materials science, describing the equilibrium relationship between the amount of adsorbate on an adsorbent surface and its concentration in the surrounding environment at constant temperature. Over recent years, significant theoretical advancements have been made to improve the accuracy, adaptability, and predictive power of adsorption models, particularly in complex systems involving nanomaterials. Nanomaterials, with their high surface-to-volume ratios and tunable surface properties, have emerged as superior adsorbents for environmental remediation, catalysis, gas storage, and separation processes. This article reviews the latest developments in adsorption isotherm theories, including modifications to classical models and the introduction of new theoretical frameworks. Furthermore, it highlights practical applications of these advances in understanding and optimizing adsorption processes using various nanomaterials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and nanostructured oxides. The synergy between refined isotherm models and advanced nanomaterials provides powerful tools for designing efficient adsorption-based technologies.

​1. Introduction​

Adsorption is a surface phenomenon where molecules (adsorbates) accumulate on the surface of a solid or liquid (adsorbent) due to attractive forces. The adsorption isotherm quantitatively describes how much adsorbate can be bound to an adsorbent as a function of its equilibrium concentration in the bulk phase, at a fixed temperature. Accurate modeling of adsorption isotherms is essential for predicting adsorption capacity, understanding surface interactions, and optimizing adsorption-based applications.
Traditional adsorption isotherm models—such as the Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) models—have long served as the cornerstone of adsorption studies. However, the advent of nanomaterials with unique structural and chemical properties has revealed limitations in these classical models, prompting researchers to develop more sophisticated and flexible theoretical frameworks. These advances are critical for accurately describing adsorption behavior on nanostructured surfaces, which often feature heterogeneous binding sites, multilayer adsorption, and complex interactions.

​2. Recent Advances in Adsorption Isotherm Theory​

​2.1. Refinement of Classical Models​

Recent research has focused on modifying classical isotherm models to better fit experimental data obtained from nanomaterials:
  • ​Modified Langmuir Model​​: Incorporates factors like lateral interactions between adsorbed molecules, surface heterogeneity, and adsorbate size effects.
  • ​Freundlich Model Enhancements​​: Adjustments allow for better description of heterogeneous and multi-layer adsorption on nano-surfaces with non-uniform energy distribution.
  • ​Sips and Toth Models​​: Introduced to address heterogeneous surface adsorption with a more flexible mathematical form, combining features of both Langmuir and Freundlich models.
These refinements help capture the nuanced behavior of adsorption on nanomaterials, where traditional assumptions of monolayer adsorption or uniform site energy may not hold.

​2.2. Emergence of Advanced and Hybrid Models​

New theoretical approaches have been developed to address the complexity of nanomaterial adsorption systems:
  • ​Redlich–Peterson Model​​: A hybrid of Langmuir and Freundlich, offering a more generalized form with an empirical parameter that improves fitting versatility.
  • ​Dubinin–Radushkevich (DR) and Dubinin–Astakhov Models​​: Useful for describing microporous adsorption, especially in nanoporous materials like activated carbons and MOFs.
  • ​Temkin Isotherm​​: Accounts for adsorbate-adsorbent interactions and heat of adsorption variation across the surface, valuable for nano-adsorbents with temperature-sensitive binding.
  • ​Quantum and Statistical Mechanical Models​​: Emerging computational models based on density functional theory (DFT) and molecular simulations provide molecular-level insights into adsorption mechanisms on nanostructured surfaces.

​2.3. Multicomponent and Competitive Adsorption Models​

With increasing interest in real-world applications—such as water purification where multiple contaminants coexist—researchers have developed multicomponent isotherm models, including:
  • ​Extended Langmuir and Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST)​
  • ​Competitive Freundlich Models​
  • ​Statistical Thermodynamic Approaches​
These models enable the prediction of competitive adsorption behavior, essential for designing selective nanomaterial adsorbents.

​3. Practical Applications in Nanomaterials​

The synergy between advanced isotherm theories and cutting-edge nanomaterials has led to transformative progress in adsorption-based technologies. Below are key nanomaterial categories and their associated applications:

​3.1. Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs)​

MOFs are highly porous crystalline materials with tunable pore sizes and functionalized surfaces. Advanced isotherm models have been crucial in:
  • Quantifying high-capacity adsorption of CO₂, CH₄, H₂, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Understanding the effect of pore geometry and functional groups on adsorption affinity
  • Designing MOFs for selective gas separation and storage

​3.2. Carbon-Based Nanomaterials (e.g., Graphene Oxide, Carbon Nanotubes)​

Graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer large surface areas and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. Isotherm studies have facilitated:
  • Heavy metal ion adsorption (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, As(V))
  • Organic pollutant removal (dyes, pharmaceuticals, pesticides)
  • Insights into π–π stacking, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic adsorption mechanisms

​3.3. Nanostructured Metal Oxides (e.g., TiO₂, Fe₃O₄, ZnO, MnO₂)​

These materials are widely used in environmental and catalytic applications. Recent isotherm models help elucidate:
  • Adsorption of arsenic, fluoride, phosphates, and other inorganic contaminants
  • Surface charge-dependent adsorption influenced by pH and oxidation state
  • Synergistic effects in composite nanomaterials (e.g., GO-MOF or CNT-metal oxide hybrids)

​3.4. Polymer-Based and Composite Nanomaterials​

Hybrid nanocomposites combining polymers with nanoparticles or carbon materials have tailored adsorption properties. Isotherm models aid in:
  • Optimizing adsorption capacity and selectivity
  • Understanding polymer–nanoparticle interactions and diffusion-controlled processes
  • Designing smart adsorbents responsive to external stimuli (pH, temperature, light)

​4. Future Perspectives​

The future of adsorption isotherm theory and nanomaterial applications lies at the intersection of theory, computation, and experiment. Key trends include:
  • ​Machine Learning Integration​​: Using AI to predict adsorption behavior and optimize isotherm model parameters.
  • ​High-Throughput Experimental Data Analysis​​: Coupling automated adsorption experiments with advanced modeling for rapid material screening.
  • ​Molecular Modeling and Simulation​​: Combining DFT, Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with empirical isotherm models for comprehensive understanding.
  • ​Sustainable and Green Adsorbents​​: Designing low-cost, biodegradable nanomaterials with predictable adsorption performance using refined isotherm frameworks.

​5. Conclusion​

The continuous evolution of adsorption isotherm theory has significantly enhanced our ability to understand, predict, and optimize the adsorption behavior of nanomaterials. From classical models to machine-learning-assisted frameworks, these theoretical advances provide deeper insights into surface interactions, adsorption mechanisms, and material design. When applied to cutting-edge nanomaterials such as MOFs, graphene derivatives, and nano-oxides, these models enable the development of highly efficient, selective, and sustainable adsorption technologies. Future interdisciplinary efforts will further bridge the gap between fundamental science and real-world applications, paving the way for innovative solutions in environmental protection, energy storage, healthcare, and beyond.