The complex formation of crown ethers with ammonium ions chemically bo
nded on the silica gel surface is affected by the nature of a countera
nion and by the concentration of an anion in solution. Equations based
on the Gouy-Chapman-Stern model for electrical double layers are deri
ved to describe the adsorption isotherms of crown ethers and to elucid
ate effects of anion concentration on their chromatographic behaviors.
Although the derived equations are not analytically solved, numerical
solutions well describe experimental results, In the present case, th
e various types of interaction between the ammonium ion and counterion
s, i.e., the ion-pair (and triple ion) formation between the ammonium
ion and a counteranion and the ion-pair formation between the ammonium
ion complexed by a crown ether and a counteranion, are important and
essential factors governing the overall adsorption of crown ethers. Th
ese constants are evaluated on the basis of the derived equation.