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Name: Unknown
Status: student
Age: 14
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
What are the best materials for absorption? and why?

Replies:
It somewhat depends on what is being absorbed, but two most common absorbants are: "activated" charcoal, and silica gel.

Both absorb because of their high surface area, which is a result of their structure which is highly porous.

Vince Calder

You need to be more specific. Absorption of what? Palladium absorbs hydrogen very well, activated charcoal is terrific for chlorine gas, and "superabsorbent" polymers beat everything else for soaking up water. So no single material is nest for absorbing all substances.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois


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