Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Deliquescent, and Efflorescent is that Deliquescent materials produce an aqueous solution through the absorption of water vapor, whereas Efflorescent materials do not absorb water.

Difference Between Deliquescent and Efflorescent
Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
Desiccants are known as the other name of deliquescent substances; on the other hand, the efflorescent contents are generally present in surroundings as crystals.
Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
Deliquescent substances contain a very high affinity for water; in contrast, a considerable amount of affinity for water is present by efflorescent materials.
Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
In deliquescent materials, a solution is formed through the absorption of water; at the same time, in efflorescent materials, a solution is not established.
Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
Deliquescent substances can absorb a high amount of water vapor; on the contrary, water is not entirely absorbed by efflorescent elements.
Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
The deliquescent substances are referred to as solids which absorb water from the surrounding environment and forms a liquid solution. On the flip side, the efflorescent materials are regarded as solids that go through spontaneous water loss from some hydrated salts.
Deliquescentadjective
Seeming to melt away.
Efflorescentadjective
Bursting into flower.
Deliquescentadjective
(chemistry) Absorbing moisture from the air and forming a solution.
deliquescent saltsEfflorescentadjective
Growing at a rapid rate; flourishing.
Deliquescentadjective
(botany) Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees.
Efflorescentadjective
Forming a white dust or efflorescence on the surface.
Deliquescentadjective
Becoming liquid as a phase of its life cycle.
Efflorescentadjective
bursting into flower;
flowering spring treesDeliquescentadjective
(especially of certain salts) becoming liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
Comparison Chart
Deliquescent | Efflorescent |
The process in which a material absorbs water from the surrounding water until it completely absorbs water and produces a liquid solution is known as deliquescent. | The process in which salt is present in a porous material is firstly dissolved by absorbed water and then transferred to the porous surface where forms precipitation out of the solution is known as efflorescent. |
Considered As | |
They are considered as solids that mostly absorb moistness from the surrounding until they dissolve completely in the absorbed water and produce the solution. | They are considered as solids that undergo natural loss of water from hydrated salts. |
Water Vapor Absorption | |
Normally it absorbs relatively a high amount of water vapor. | The water is not absorbed. |
Other Names | |
Also known as desiccants. | Present as crystals. |
Affinity for Water | |
It contains a relatively very high attraction towards the water. | Consists of a considerable attraction towards the water. |
Formation of a Solution | |
Thorugh the absorption of water vapor, it produces an aqueous solution. | A solution is not produced. |
Examples | |
The examples are magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide, iron chloride, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus oxide, and calcium chloride | The example in which a compound go through this is washing soda |
Deliquescent vs. Efflorescent
Deliquescent substances are considered as solids that mostly absorb moistness from the surrounding until they dissolve completely in the absorbed water and produce the solution. On the other hand, efflorescent substances are also considered as solids that undergo natural loss of water from hydrated salts.
Deliquescent materials usually absorb a relatively high amount of water vapor. In contrast, the water is not absorbed by efflorescent materials. Deliquescent substances are also known as desiccants; on the contrary, efflorescent is present as crystals.
The deliquescent materials contain a relatively very high attraction towards the water; at the same time, the efflorescent materials consist of a considerable attraction towards the water. Thorugh the absorption of water vapor, the deliquescent substances produce an aqueous solution; on the contrary, a solution is not provided by efflorescent materials.
The examples of deliquescent substances are magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide, iron chloride, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus oxide, and calcium chloride, while on its flip side, the example of efflorescence in which a compound go through this is washing soda.
What is Deliquescent?
The solid matter which can easily get liquefied through absorbing the water vapor, which in the result is the production of an aqueous solution, is known as the process of deliquescence. The deliquescent substances consist of a very high affinity towards water.
Depending on the location of the place and the time of day, the atmosphere contains about 0-4% of water vapor. However, there are present many other gases and vapors also present in the atmosphere; the water vapor consists of pressure known as partial pressure. The examples of deliquescent substances are magnesium chloride, potassium hydroxide, iron chloride, sodium hydroxide, phosphorus oxide, and calcium chloride.
What is Efflorescent?
The solids which go through the natural water loss from specific hydrated salts (inorganic salts having water molecules mixed in a defined ratio). These salts can lose molecules of water when exposed to the outside are known as efflorescent substances, and this whole process is known as efflorescence.
The process of efflorescent happens when the liquid-vapor pressure of the hydrate becomes higher than the partial pressure of the water vapors ordinarily present in the air. The examples are, 10H2O, FeSO4, Na2CO3, Na2SO4, and 10H2O, while the most common example of efflorescence is aeration of cement. Washing soda is also the example that goes through efflorescence in which its molecules usually lose nine of its units out of its total ten crystallized water molecules when taken into the open air.
ConclusionThe above discussion concludes that the deliquescent materials produce the liquid solution through the absorption of water; in contrast, the efflorescent substances do not absorb water and occurs a spontaneous loss of water.