Efflorescent vs. Hygroscopic

Key Differences

Comparison Chart
.
Considered As
Water Vapor Absorption
Affinity for Water

Formation of a Solution

Examples

Efflorescent and Hygroscopic Definitions
Efflorescent
Hygroscopic
Efflorescent
Hygroscopic
Efflorescent
Hygroscopic
Efflorescent
Hygroscopic
Efflorescent
Hygroscopic
Efflorescent
Efflorescent
Efflorescent
Efflorescent
Efflorescent vs. Hygroscopic
Efflorescent substances are also considered as solids that undergo natural loss of water from hydrated salts. On the flip side, the hygroscopic is considered as solids that mainly adsorb or absorb water from its surrounding environment.
The water is not absorbed by efflorescent materials, whereas the water is either adsorb or absorb by hygroscopic substances. Efflorescent is present as crystals, while the hygroscopic materials are also known as humectants.
The efflorescent materials consist of a considerable attraction towards the water; on the other hand, the hygroscopic materials contain a little affinity towards water. Thorugh the absorption of water vapor, a solution is not provided by efflorescent materials; on the flip side, a solution is not produced by hygroscopic substances, but they absorb water vapor.
The example of efflorescence in which a compound go through this is washing soda. At the same time, the cases of hygroscopic substances are copper oxide, sodium trioxonitrate, and quick lime (CaO).
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.
What is Hygroscopic?
The solids which absorb moisture from the surrounding environment but would not produce a solution is known as hygroscopic substance, and they consume enough to form a clamp. The process of Hygroscopy usually results in the change of physical features of the hygroscopic materials, which includes boiling, color, viscosity, point, etc.
Salts are the most common examples of hygroscopic substances. There are present some other hygroscopic compounds as well, which include silica gel, germinating seeds, honey, etc. Examples of hygroscopic materials are copper oxide, sodium trioxonitrate, zinc chloride, sodium chloride, quick lime (CaO), and sodium hydroxide.