Capillary condensation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001603",
  "term": "Capillary condensation",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The phenomenon where a gas condenses into a liquid within a porous material at a pressure below its normal saturation vapor pressure. This occurs due to the enhanced intermolecular forces within the narrow pores, which lower the chemical potential of the liquid phase. It is a key mechanism in gas adsorption and desorption processes in mesoporous materials.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "hysteresis",
    "multilayer adsorption"
  ],
  "references": [
    "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 588 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197231040577)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/capillary-condensation/"
}