When the area of the
interface between two phases is proportional to the mass of one of the phases (e.g. for a solid
adsorbent, for an
emulsion or for an
aerosol ), the specific surface area
(, or preferably
)
is defined as the surface area divided by the mass of the relevant phase.
Source:
PAC, 1972, 31, 577
(Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units, Appendix
II: Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry)
on page 583