Sorbent: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in scientific and industrial settings to refer to materials that can absorb or adsorb liquids or gases. It is a general term without specifying the process (absorption or adsorption).

• Activated carbon is a common type of sorbent used in air and water purification.
• The laboratory uses various sorbents to clean up chemical spills.

Refers to materials that soak up liquids or gases by taking them into their volume. Commonly used in everyday contexts as well as scientific and industrial settings.

• Paper towels are very absorbent and quickly soak up spills.
• The absorbent pad in diapers helps keep babies dry.

Refers to materials that can attract and hold substances on their surface without taking them into their volume. Commonly used in scientific and industrial contexts.

• Silica gel is a common adsorbent used for drying and protecting products from moisture.
• The charcoal filter acts as an adsorbent to remove contaminants from the air.

Specifically used for materials that are intended to absorb moisture from the air, keeping the environment dry. Commonly used in packaging, storage, and shipping.

• Silica gel packets often found in shoe boxes are desiccants that prevent moisture damage.
• The museum uses desiccants in its display cases to protect artifacts from humidity.

Used in scientific or technical fields to describe a material that can absorb or adsorb liquids or gases.

• Activated carbon is a common sorbent used in water purification processes.
• The research focuses on developing new sorbents for removing pollutants from the environment.

Typically refers to someone who collects specific items as a hobby or to a device that gathers certain data or materials.

• As a collector of rare coins, she has an impressive and valuable collection.
• The data collector logs environmental conditions every hour.

Describes someone or something that collects items, usually by picking or harvesting them, often in a broader or less specialized way than a collector.

• In ancient societies, gatherers played an essential role in providing food by collecting fruits and nuts.
• The gatherer carefully picked the flowers from the field.

Appropriate in contexts related to energy storage or the collection of various resources or items over time.

• The solar panels charge the accumulator, which powers the house during the night.
• He is an avid accumulator of vintage stamps.