Surface Area and Pore Size Analysis

The measurement of a materials' specific surface area

(SSA) and porosity is sometimes of fundamental
importance. The reaction rate increases with surface
area. This is directly used in catalysis and in nano
materials. For example, dropping nano Si particles into
water will release a large amount of H2 gas in seconds.
As another example, the relationship between specific
surface area and particle size of a powder can tell an
engineer something about the state of agglomeration.
One of the most prominent areas of use in Elkem is
within battery materials research.

Measurement principle: Gas sorption (as explained by Quantachrome):

(1) As the pressure of gas rises, so
does the amount adsorbed at the
surface, until a monolayer is formed,
which is used to calculate the BET
surface area
BET surface Area. Additional
molecules are then adsorbed as the
sorption process moves through
multilayer formation
(3) As the pressure of gas is further
increased, we see the beginning of
mesopore filling (capillary
condensation). Note the rise in the
isotherm.

Capabilities Highlights
B.E.T. specific surface area
Adsorption and Desorption Isotherms
Measurement types
Micropore analysis
Mesopore Size distribution
Analysis stations 4 simultaneous

Adsorbate Nitrogen

Surface area range 0.01 m2g-1 to no known upper limit

Pore size range 0.35 to 5000 nm

p/p0 resolution 6 x 10-8

Degassing Vacuum, ambient to 400°C

CONTACT
Anders H. Amundsen
Manager, Materials Characterisation Lab,
Elkem Technology
etlab@elkem.no
Mobile : +47 90958981