Eur. Phys. J. B 31, 439-441 (2003)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2003-00051-5

Comment on

“On the relationship between the entropy and enthalpy of interfacial segregation” by L. Rubinovich and M. Polak

¹ Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Na Slovance 2, 182 21 Praha 8, Czech Republic
² Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Corresponding author: ^a lejcekp@fzu.cz

Received: 14 January 2002
Revised: 27 September 2002
Published online: 14 February 2003

Abstract

The paper of L. Rubinovich and M. Polak [Eur. Phys. J. B 22, 267 (2001)] contains some controversial items. The notation “excess” in connection with various thermodynamic quantities describing solute segregation on the basis of the Langmuir-McLean isotherm is used in a meaning contradictory to general thermodynamics. The approach used to interpret the linear relationship between segregation entropy and enthalpy results in rather strange conclusions. These items are discussed, and it is shown how a formulation with standard terms is in accordance with general thermodynamics.