Donnan equilibrium

Don·nan equilibrium

noun \ˈdän-ən-\

Definition of DONNAN EQUILIBRIUM

: the ionic equilibrium reached in a solution of an electrolyte whose ions are diffusible through a semipermeable membrane but are distributed unequally on the two sides of the membrane because of the presence of a nondiffusible colloidal ion (as a protein ion) on one side of the membrane

Biographical Note for DONNAN EQUILIBRIUM

Donnan, Frederick George (1870–1956), British chemist. A university professor for most of his career, Donnan made important contributions as a colloid chemist. Apart from the theory of membrane equilibrium named after him, he did research during World War I on chemical warfare and nitrogen products. He did early research on synthetic ammonia and nitric acid and helped in the development of mustard gas.