The equilibrium relation between the concentration of a sample
component in the
stationary phase, and in the
mobile phase, expressed as a function
.
Note:
The relation can be influenced also by concentrations of
other sample components.
and
are usually expressed per
unit volume of the phase;
may also be expressed per mass of
the dry solid phase or per unit surface area.
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.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 1591
(Nomenclature for non-linear chromatography (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 1592
This definition supersedes an earlier definition of distribution isotherm.