The fundamental integral equation for isotherms derived from statistical me
chanics was applied to the analysis of adsorption under low concentrations
(or pressures). The model considers adsorption on an energetically heteroge
neous surface characterized by an energy distribution function in the semie
xponential form N(Q) = (m/RT)e(-mQ/RT) and by the individual adsorption of
each site obeying the Langmuir isotherm. The expression derived guarantees
a linear relationship of the covering degree, q, and the concentration, C,
that is, q = HC (Henry's law), under the condition of low values of concent
ration. In this derivation H = mb(0)/(m - 1) is Henry's constant, while m >
1 and b(0) are parameters to be adjusted to experimental data. (C) 1998 Ac
ademic Press.