Current state in adsorption from multicomponent solutions of nonelectrolytes on solids

This paper surveys the research carried out on the adsorption from multicomponent liquid mixtures of nonelectrolytes on solids with emphasis on the work performed by the authors. The consistent theoretical treatment of adsorption from concentrated and dilute multicomponent solutions and its application to the liquid adsorption chromatography with the mixed mobile phase are presented. This treatment involved nonideality of the bulk and surface phases, energetic heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface and it may be extended to multilayer adsorption from solutions. The multicomponent liquid/solid adsorption systems, studied experimentally, are reviewed. Many of them have been examined by means of the equations derived for liquid adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces. These studies are summarized in this paper. Moreover, the model studies illustrating the influence of solution nonideality and adsorbent heterogeneity on the excess adsorption isotherms and the distribution coefficient are discussed. (orig.)