distribution isotherm

in chromatography
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.DT06932
The equilibrium relation between the concentration of a sample component in the stationary phase cS, and in the mobile phase cM, expressed as a function cS=f(cM). In some versions of chromatography, a distribution isotherm can be seen as a partition isotherm, an adsorption isotherm, or a combination of these, depending on the mechanism of separation.
Note: The relation can be influenced also by concentrations of other sample components. cS and cM are usually expressed per unit volume of the phase; cS may also be expressed per mass of the dry solid phase or per unit surface area.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 1591. (Nomenclature for non-linear chromatography (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 1592 [Terms] [Paper]
This definition supersedes an earlier definition of distribution isotherm.
Citation: 'distribution isotherm' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.DT06932 RIS BibTex EndNote
Div. VPDFTextXMLJSON