We present a general theory of cooperativity in sorption
isotherms
that can be applied to sorbent/gas and sorbent/solution isotherms
and is valid even when sorbates dissolve into or penetrate the sorbent.
Our universal foundation, based on the principles of statistical thermodynamics,
is the excess number of sorbates (around a probe sorbate), which can
capture the cooperativities of sigmoidal and divergent isotherms alike
via the ln–ln gradient of an isotherm (the excess number relationship).
The excess number relationship plays a central role in deriving isotherm
equations. Its combination with the characteristic relationship (i.e.,
a succinct summary of the sorption mechanism via the dependence of
excess number on interfacial coverage or sorbate activity) yields
a differential equation whose solution is an isotherm equation. The
cooperative isotherm equations for convergent and divergent cooperativities
derived from this novel method can be applied to fit experimental
data traditionally fitted via various isotherm models, with a clear
statistical thermodynamic interpretation of their parameters..