adsorption isotherm

chemistry

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July 23, 2026

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An adsorption isotherm is a curve that plots the quantity of a substance adsorbed onto a surface against the concentration of that substance in the surrounding gas or solution, all at a constant temperature.1

Adsorption itself is the ability of solids to attract molecules from gases or solutions onto their surfaces. These solids are called adsorbents, and the attracted molecules are the adsorbate. This process differs from absorption, where a substance penetrates the interior of a material. Adsorption can be physical, driven by weak van der Waals forces, or chemical, involving stronger chemical bonds.23

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chromatography
(The term adsorption isotherm is often used when a solid phase is involved.) A mixture of solutes is introduced into the system in a confined region or narrow zone (the origin), whereupon the different species are transported at different rates in the direction of fluid flow. The…
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(The term adsorption isotherm is often used when a solid phase is involved.) A mixture of solutes is introduced into the system in a confined region or narrow zone (the origin), whereupon the different species are transported at different rates in the direction of fluid flow. The…
Read More