Adsorption in which the forces involved are
intermolecular forces (
van der Waals forces ) of the same kind as those responsible for the imperfection of real gases and the condensation vapours, and which do not involve a significant change in the electronic
orbital patterns of the species involved. The term
van der Waals adsorption is synonymous with
physical adsorption, but its use is not recommended.
Source:
PAC, 1972, 31, 577
(Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units, Appendix II: Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry)
on page 586
PAC, 1976, 46, 71
(Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units - Appendix II. Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Part II: Heterogeneous Catalysis)
on page 75
