Abstract
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..