Final answer:
The process where a hazardous liquid binds to the surface of a sorbent material is known as adsorption, which is essential in heterogeneous catalysis and environmental purification treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process in which a hazardous liquid interacts with (or is bound to) the surface of a sorbent material is called adsorption. This is a key step in heterogeneous catalysis and is involved in various environmental processes such as water purification. Adsorption is distinct from absorption, which is a bulk process where the material is taken up into the volume, not just on the surface. In the context of environmental chemistry and engineering, treatment by activated carbon, for example, relies heavily on the adsorption of contaminants onto the surface of the carbon particles. Adsorption can be identified by the weak bonds formed between the molecules of the liquid and the solid sorbent's surface, typically without involving a full chemical reaction or penetration into the solid's bulk.