Experimental determination of single solute and competitive adsorption isotherms

In order to design and to optimise preparative liquid chromatography, the knowledge of the underlying thermodynamic functions, i.e. the adsorption isotherms, is of large importance. Usually these functions can not be predicted and various techniques have been suggested to determine them experimentally. In this paper, several important methods to measure adsorption equilibrium data are discussed and evaluated. The main focus is set on dynamic methods analysing concentration profiles that could be detected at the outlet of fixed-beds packed with the stationary phase of interest. The theoretical background of the different methods is explained using classical equilibrium theory and the equilibrium dispersion model. Each method is illustrated based on experimental data collected in our laboratory. Based on these personal experiences recommendations are given regarding the potential and the applicability of the methods discussed.