1
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Physisorption Analysis of 
Porous Solids
Ranjan Kumar Dash
Advisor: Prof. Yury Gogotsi
March 11, 2004
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Contents
Background
Background
1
1
Porosity Measurement
Porosity Measurement
3
3
Critical Comments and Conclusion
Critical Comments and Conclusion
4
4
Theory of Adsorption
Theory of Adsorption
2
2
2
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Applications of Porous Materials 
Molecular
sieves
Energy
storage
Catalyst
Membranes
Application
Biomedical
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Degree of Porosity
Pore size and 
its distribution
Pore volume
Surface area
Porosity
3
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Types of Pores
Dead end 
(open)
Closed
Inter-connected 
(open)
Passing 
(open)
F. Rouquerol, J. Rouquerol, K. S. W. Sing, Adsorption by Powders and Porous 
Solids, Academic Press, 1-25, 1999
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Shapes of Pores
Conical
Interstices
Slits
Cylindrical
Spherical or
Ink Bottle
Pore 
Shapes
F. Rouquerol, J. Rouquerol, K. S. W. Sing, Adsorption by Powders and Porous 
Solids, Academic Press, 1-25, 1999
4
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Size of Pores (IUPAC Standard)
2 nm 50 nm
Micropores
Mesopores Macropores
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
5
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
 ? Can measure only open pores
 ? Pore size : 0.4 nm – 50 nm
 ? Easy
 ? Established technique
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
 ? Similar to gas 
adsorption
 ? Can measure only 
open pores
 ? Pore size >1.5 nm
 ? Easy
 ? Established technique
6
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
 ? Provide information 
regarding pore 
connectivity
 ? Pore size can be 
measured if the 
materials contains 
ordered pores
 ? Rarely used for pore 
analysis
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
 ? Pore size > 5nm
 ? Rarely used for pore 
analysis
7
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
 ? Any pore size
 ? Open + Close 
porosity
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
Mercury
porosimetry
TEM
SEM
Small angle
X-ray
scattering
Small
Angle
Neutron 
scattering
Gas 
adsorption
Techniques
 ? Any pore size
 ? Open & Close 
porosity
 ? Costly
8
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Theory of Adsorption
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Adsorption Process
Adsorption is brought by the forces acting between the solid and the 
molecules of the gas. These forces are of two kinds: physical 
(physiosorption) and chemical (chemisorption)
Adsorbent - the solid where adsorption takes place
Adsorbate - the gas adsorbed on the 
surface of solids
Adsorptive - adsorbate before being adsorbed on the surface
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MONOLAYER ADSORPTION
Langmuir Isotherm is used to model adsorption 
equilibrium.
MULTILAYER ADSORPTION
BET Isotherm used to model adsorption 
equilibrium.
Surface reactions may take place:- Dissociation, 
reconstruction, catalysis.
No surface reactions.
Can be activated, in which case equilibrium can 
be slow and increasing temperature can favour 
adsorption.
Non activated with equilibrium achieved 
relatively quickly. Increasing temperature 
always reduces surface coverage.
?H
ads
= 50 ….. 500 kJ mol
-1
?H
ads
= 5 ….. 50 kJ mol-1
SURFACE SPECIFIC
E.g. Chemisorption of hydrogen takes place on 
transition metals but not on gold or mercury.
NOT SURFACE SPECIFIC
Physisorption takes place between all 
molecules on any surface providing the 
temperature is low enough.
STRONG, SHORT RANGE BONDING
Chemical bonding involved.
WEAK, LONG RANGE BONDING
Van der Waals interactions
CHEMISORPTIONPHYSISORPTION
Physisorption vs Chemisorption
http://www.soton.ac.uk
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Adsorption Process
1. Diffusion to adsorbent surface
2. Migration into pores of adsorbent
3. Monolayer builds up of adsorbate
1 2 3
 ?Gas molecules admitted 
under increasing pressure to 
a clean, cold surface. 
 ?Data treatment techniques 
find the quantity of gas that 
forms the first layer. 
1 2 3
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface 
Area and Porosity, 3rd Ed. Chapman & Hall, 
New York, 1991
10
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Adsorption Process
Adsorbent
Adsorbate
adsorptive of pressure saturated
adsorbate of pressure
  
where
:as written becan equation  
above  theconstant, made are I and T,  W,If
adsorbent. and adsorbatebetween n interactio  
re; temperatu 
adsorbate;  theof pressure  
adsorbent; of weight  
adsorbed; gas of  volume
where
),,,(
=
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
p
p
p
p
f
I
T
P
W
PITWf
o
o
V
V
V
a
a
a
Equation of adsorption 
isotherm
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and 
Porosity, 3rd Ed. Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
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Gas Sorption: Isotherm
Adsorption isotherm
 ?Isotherm is a measure 
of the volume of gas 
adsorbed at a constant 
temperature as a 
function of gas 
pressure.
 ?Isotherms can be 
grouped into six 
classes.
adsorptive of pressure saturated
adsorbate of pressure
  
where
=
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
=
p
p
p
p
f
o
o
V a
V
a
Desorption isotherm
p
p
o
11
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Gas Sorption: Isotherm
V
a
1
P/P
o
Type I
or
Langmuir 
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd Ed. 
Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
 ?Concave to the P/P
o
axis
 ?Exhibited by microporous 
solids ( < 2nm )
1
P/P
o
Type II
 ?Exhibited by nonporous or 
macroporous solids ( > 50nm )
 ?Unrestricted monolayer-multilayer 
adsorption
 ?Point B indicates the relative 
pressure at which monolayer 
coverage is complete
B
V
a
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Gas Sorption: Isotherm
V
a
1
P/P
o
Type III
 ?Convex to the P/P
o
axis
 ?Exhibited by nonporous solids
V
a
1
P/P
o
Type IV
 ?Exhibited by mesoporous 
solids
 ?Initial part of the type IV follows 
the same path as the type II
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd Ed. 
Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
12
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Gas Sorption: Isotherm
V
a
1
P/P
o
Type V
1
P/P
o
Type VI
 ?Highly uncommon
 ?Exhibited by mesoporous solids
 ?Exhibited by nonporous solids 
with an almost completely uniform 
surface
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd Ed. 
Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
V
a
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Gas Sorption: Hysteresis
 ?Hysteresis indicates the presence of mesopores.
 ?Hysteresis gives information regarding pore shapes . 
 ?Types I, II and III isotherms are generally reversible but type 
I can have a hysteresis. Types IV and V exhibit hysteresis.
1
P/P
o
Hysteresis
V
a
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd Ed. 
Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
13
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Gas Sorption: Hysteresis
V
a
1
P/P
o
Type A
Cylindrical Slits
Type B
1
P/P
o
1
P/P
o
Type C Type D
1
P/P
o
Type E
1
P/P
o
Conical
Bottle neck
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Adsorption/Desorption
Adsorption =
multilayer 
formation
Desorption = 
meniscus 
development
14
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Adsorption Theories: Langmuir
Adsorbate
Adsorbent
Assumptions:
 ? homogeneous surface  (all adsorption 
sites energetically identical)
 ? monolayer adsorption (no multilayer 
adsorption)
 ? no interaction between adsorbed 
molecules
adsorbate. of pressure 
and constant; empirical   
monolayer; form  torequired gas of  volume
; pressureat  adsorbed gas of  volume
where
1
=
=
=
=
+=
P
b
V
PV
V
P
bVV
P
m
a
mma
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Adsorption Theories: BET
adsorbate. of pressure relative 
and layer);1st  of adsorption ofenergy   to(relatedconstant  BET  C
monolayer; form  torequired gas of  volume
; pressureat  adsorbed gas of  volume
where
)1(1
)(
=
=
=
=
?
?
?
?
?
??
+=
?
o
m
a
o
mm
o
a
P
P
V
PV
P
P
CV
C
CVPPV
P
 ? Modification of Langmuir 
isotherm
 ? Both monolayer and 
multilayer adsorption
Adsorbate
Adsorbent
15
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Specific Surface Area Calculation
CVP
P
CV
C
PPV
P
m
o
m
o
a
1)1(
)(
+
?
?
?
?
?
??
=
?
imXY +=
im
V
m
+
=
1
P/P
o
1
V[(P
o
/P)-1]
0-1 0-2 0-3
At least three data points in the 
relative pressure range 0.05 to 0.30
adsorbate ofWeight 
area surface Total
csavm
ANV
=
sample ofWeight 
area surface Total
area) surface (SpecificSSA =
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Single Point BET
 ?Single-point method offers the advantage of simplicity and 
speed, often with little loss in accuracy.
( )
o
am
PPVV ?= 1
i.e. V
m
= 1/slope
 ?A relative pressure of 0.3 gives good general agreement with the
multi-point method.
 ? Correction of single point “error” at P/P
0
= 0.3 by multiplying the 
single point BET value by C/C-2 decreases the difference.
5.957
8.056
4.286
4.923
Multi-point 
BET
(m
2
/g)
5.194
6.867
3.664
4.241
Uncorrected 
single-point
(m
2
/g)
-12.8
-14.8
-14.5
-13.9
Uncorrected
difference
(%)
4
3
2
1
Sample 
No.
+1.736.060
-0.568.011
-0.264.275
0.514.948
Corrected
difference
(%)
Corrected 
single –
point
(m
2
/g)
16
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Pore Size Distribution
V
a
Pore diameter, d
Narrow pore size 
distribution
Broad pore size 
distribution
Unimodal pore size 
distribution
Pore diameter, d
Multimodal pore 
size distribution
The distribution of pore 
volume with respect to 
pore size is called a pore 
size distribution.
V
a
∑
=
d
a
V volumePore 
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Pore Size Distribution
?G
ads
= RT(lnP
ads
-lnP
0
)
?G
des
= RT(lnP
des
-lnP
0
)
?G
des
< ?G
ads
1
P/P
o
(P/P
o
)
des
(P/P
o
)
ads
 ?Adsorption or 
desorption isotherm.
 ?The desorption 
isotherm is preferred 
over adsorption 
isotherm.
V
a
17
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Pore Size: Kelvin Equation
 ?Multilayer formation 
occurs in parallel to 
capillary condensation. 
 ?Capillary condensation 
is described by the 
Kelvin equation. 
phase. condensed and solid ebetween th anglecontact   
 re; temperatu
constant; gas real 
meniscus; liquid  theof curvature of radiusmean  
adsorbate; condensed of memolar volu 
 tension;surface liquid 
;
adsorbate of pressure saturated
adsorbate of pressure
where
cos
2
ln
=
=
=
=
=
=
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
=
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
=
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
θ
γ
θ
γ
T
R
V
RT
V
r
p
p
r
p
p
k
o
k
o
θ
k
r
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Pore Size: Kelvin Equation
trr
kp
+=
Actual 
radius of 
the pore
Kelvin 
radius of 
the pore
Thickness of the 
adsorbed layer
Prior to condensation, some adsorption has taken place 
on the walls of the pore, r
k
does not represent the actual 
pore radius.
θ
t
k
r
Adsorbed layer
18
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Methods for Calculation of Pore Size 
Distribution
 ?BJH (Barrett, Joyner and 
Halenda) method
 ?DH (Dollimore Heal) method
 ?Dubinin-Astakhov method
 ?HK (Horvath-Kawazoe) method
 ?Saito-Foley method
Mesoporous solids
Microporous solids
 ?NLDFT (Non Local Density 
Functional Theory) and Monte 
Carlo simulation method
Microporous and 
Mesoporous solids
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Porosity Measurement
19
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Porosity Analyzer
Outgassing station
Analysis station
Liquid nitrogen 
bath
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Steps for Measurement
3. Interpretation
2. Adsorption Analysis
1. Sample Preparation
20
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1. Sample Preparation (Outgassing)
 ? Surface contamination is 
removed by application 
of:
 ? Temperature
 ? Flowing gas (helium or 
nitrogen) or vacuum
 ? Backfill can be done 
using helium or adsorbate 
gas. 
 ? According to IUPAC 
standards, materials 
should be outgassed for 
at least 16 hours. 
Adsorbate
Helium
Vacuum
P
o
Outgassing 
station
Analysis station
Sample 
Cell
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2. Adsorption Analysis
 ? Adsorbate (nitrogen, 
argon, carbon dioxide, 
krypton)
 ? Analysis temperature 
(liquid nitrogen, liquid 
argon, 0 
o
C)
 ? Quantity of sample (1 
mg sample is sufficient)
 ? Number of points 
(single point, five 
points, seven points, 
eleven points, full 
analysis)
Adsorbate
Helium
Vacuum
P
o
Outgassing 
station
Analysis station
Sample 
Cell
21
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3. Interpretation
3
2
1
Volume 
adsorbed
P/P
o
Points
Weight of sample
O
U
T
P
U
T
Pore shape
Specific 
surface area
Pore volume
Pore size
&
distribution
Results
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Critical Comments and 
Conclusion
22
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Critical Comments : Choice of 
Adsorptive
 ? N
2(g)
in N
2(l)
is the most 
commonly used 
adsorbate. 
 ? Not completely inert. 
 ? Dipole movement and 
thus can have 
localized adsorption. 
 ? Cross-sectional area of 
0.162 nm
2
is 
questionable. 
 ?S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd
Ed. Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
 ?Quantachrome Autosorb-I Operational Manual
O
x
y
g
e
n
A
r
g
o
n
N
i
t
r
o
g
e
n
C
a
r
b
o
n
 
m
o
n
o
o
x
i
d
e
C
a
r
b
o
n
 
d
i
o
x
i
d
e
K
r
y
p
t
o
n
n
-
b
u
t
a
n
e
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
C
r
os
s-
sect
i
onal
 ar
ea,
 nm
2
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O
x
y
g
e
n
A
r
g
o
n
N
i
t
r
o
g
e
n
C
a
r
b
o
n
 
m
o
n
o
o
x
i
d
e
C
a
r
b
o
n
 
d
i
o
x
i
d
e
K
r
y
p
t
o
n
n
-
b
u
t
a
n
e
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
C
r
os
s-
sect
i
onal
 ar
ea,
 nm
2
Critical Comments : Choice of 
Adsorptive
 ?S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd
Ed. Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
 ?Quantachrome Autosorb-I Operational Manual
 ? Ar
(g)
in Ar
(l)
is preferable 
but because of 
unavailability of Ar
(l) 
(87K), 
N
2(l)
(77 K) is used.
 ? Ar can reach to somewhat 
smaller pores than N
2
.
 ? Accurate measurement of 
micropores is possible 
using Ar.
23
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O
x
y
g
e
n
A
r
g
o
n
N
i
t
r
o
g
e
n
C
a
r
b
o
n
 
m
o
n
o
o
x
i
d
e
C
a
r
b
o
n
 
d
i
o
x
i
d
e
K
r
y
p
t
o
n
n
-
b
u
t
a
n
e
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
C
r
os
s-
sect
i
onal
 ar
ea,
 nm
2
Critical Comments : Choice of 
Adsorptive
 ?S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Powder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd
Ed. Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
 ?Quantachrome Autosorb-I Operational Manual
 ? In case of activated 
carbon, CO
2
is often 
the most preferred 
adsorbate.  
 ? Adsorption analysis of 
CO
2
takes less time. 
 ? Limited to micropore 
analysis.
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Critical Comments : Validity of BET -
Method
 ? The BET method 
depends on the cross-
sectional area of 
adsorbate. 
 ? Monolayer structure is 
same on all the surface. 
 ? Localized monolayer 
coverage.
K. S. W. Sing, The Use of Nitrogen Adsorption for the Characterisation of Porous 
Materials, Colloids and Surfaces, 187 – 188, 2001, 3 - 9
?
?
?
?
?
??
+=
?
o
mm
o
P
P
CV
C
CVPPV
P )1(1
)(
M
ALV
SSA
av
=
Adsorbate
Adsorbent
24
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Critical Comments : Validity of 
Kelvin Equation
θ
γ
cos
2
ln
RT
V
r
p
p
k
o
=
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
 ? Is relation between the 
meniscus curvature and the 
pore size and shape valid?
 ? Is it applicable for micropores 
and narrow mesopores? 
 ? Does surface tension varies 
with pore width?
θ
F. Rouquerol, J. Rouquerol, K. S. W. Sing, Adsorption by Powders and Porous 
Solids, Academic Press, 203, 1999
k
r
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Critical Comments : Shape of 
Microporous Materials
V
a
1
P/Po
Type I
or
Langmuir 
 ?Type I isotherms don’t have 
hysteresis.
 ?Pore shape cannot be 
determined by isotherm. 
 ?As various methods for pore 
size calculation are based on 
shape of pores, reliability of pore 
size calculation is questionable. 
F. Rouquerol, J. Rouquerol, K. S. W. Sing, Adsorption by Powders and Porous 
Solids, Academic Press, 439-446, 1999
25
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2 nm
50 nm
Micropores
Mesopores Macropores
de Boer’s t-methodCylindrical or Slit shapedBrunauer MP method
 ?Polanyi potential 
theory
 ?Independent of 
Kelvin equation
-Dubinin-Astakhov method
AssumptionMethods
Cylindrical
Slit
Pore Shape
HK method
 ?Everett and Powl
method
 ?Independent of 
Kelvin equation
Based on ..
Saito-Foley method
HK (Horvath-Kawazoe) method
Critical Comments : Choice of Method
 ?P. A. Webb, C. Orr, Analytical Methods in Fine Particle Technology, Micromeritics, 53 –
152, 1997
 ?Quantachrome Autosorb-I Operational Manual
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
2 nm 50 nm
Micropores
Mesopores Macropores
Kelvin equationCylindrical, Slit-shapedBJH (Barrett, Joyner and 
Halenda) method
t-methodCylindrical
DH (Dollimore Heal) method
AssumptionMethods
Pore Shape Based on ..
Critical Comments : Choice of Method
 ?P. A. Webb, C. Orr, Analytical Methods in Fine Particle Technology, Micromeritics, 53 –
152, 1997
 ?Quantachrome Autosorb-I Operational Manual
26
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2 nm
50 nm
Micropores
Mesopores Macropores
AssumptionMethods
Cylindrical and slit 
Pore Shape
Statistical 
thermodynamics
Based on ..
NLDFT (Non Local Density 
Functional Theory) and Monte 
Carlo simulation method
Critical Comments : Choice of Method
 ?P. A. Webb, C. Orr, Analytical Methods in Fine Particle Technology, Micromeritics, 53 –
152, 1997
 ?Quantachrome Autosorb-I Operational Manual
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Conclusion
 ?Despite limitations, physisorption is often the technique of first 
choice for studying pore characteristics of solid materials.
 ?In spite of its artificial nature, the BET method is still the most 
popular technique for determination of surface area.
 ?All computational procedures for pore size analysis have limitations. 
The various assumptions include ideal pore shape, rigidity of structure 
and oversimplified model (capillary condensation or micropore filling).
 ?The current IUPAC classification contain six isotherms. Apart from 
these, there are many complex isotherms for which there is no 
procedure available for interpretation.
 ?The use of single gas adsorption cannot be expected to provide more 
than a semi-quantitative estimate of the micropore size distribution. It 
is always advisable to compare adsorption results with two or more 
gases. 
27
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Questions?
Comments?
Thank you!
I love Pia.
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
TEM of Ordered Nanoporous Carbon
R. Ryoo, S. H. Joo and S. Jun, "Synthesis of Highly Ordered Carbon Molecular Sieves via 
Template-Mediated Structural Transformation", J. Phys. Chem. B 103, 7743 (1999). 
28
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
TEM of Amorphous Carbon
Carbon derived from boron 
carbide
5 nm
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
SEM of Porous Aluminum
http://cml.me.berkeley.edu/~jiayang/inter/english/eweb4-1.htm.
Porous aluminum with 
pore-spacing about 100 
nm (SEM, 70,000 X) 
29
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Common Adsorbates
0.205 ? -195.8 
o
C (liquid nitrogen)Kr
0.141 ? -183 
o
C (liquid argon)O
2
 ? 0 
o
C, 25 
o
C
 ? -183 
o
C (liquid argon)
 ? -78 
o
C, -25 
o
C, 0 
o
C
 ? -183 
o
C (liquid argon).
 ? -195.8 
o
C (liquid nitrogen)
 ? -195.8 
o
C (liquid nitrogen)
 ? -183 
o
C (liquid argon).
Temperature
0.195CO
2
0.163CO
0.162N
2
0.142Ar
0.469
Cross sectional 
area (nm
2
)
Gas
C
4
H
10
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Adsorption Analyzer
30
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Adsorption Analyzer
Adsorbate
Helium
Vacuum
P
o
Outgassing 
station
Analysis station
Sample 
Cell
Manifold
(known 
volume)
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Adsorption Measurement
1. Adsorptive is passed through 
the sample at requested 
pressure.
2. Volume of gas adsorbed = 
difference in pressure of 
manifold.
3
2
1
Volume of 
gas 
adsorbed
P/P
o
Points
31
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Techniques for Porosity Analysis
 ?Larger pores (> 5 nm).SEM (Scanning Electron 
Microscope)
 ?Total porosity (open + close).SAXS (Small Angle X-Ray 
Scattering)
 ?Open porosity (pore size > 1.5 nm)Mercury Porosimetry
 ?Limited information regarding pore 
connectivity.
 ?Small pores if the materials contain 
ordered pores 
TEM (Transmission Electron 
Microscope)
 ?Open and closed pores.
 ? Open porosity (pore size: 0.4 nm -
50 nm)
Gas Adsorption
SANS (Small Angle Neutron 
Scattering)
S. Lowell & J. E. Shields, Haowder Surface Area and Porosity, 3rd 
Ed. Chapman & Hall, New York, 1991
http://nano.materials.drexel.edu
Factors Affecting Surface Area
1 m
A
i
= Initial surface area = 6 m
2
0.1 m
Number of fragments = 1000
A
f
= Final surface area = 1000 X 6 X (0.1)
2
m
2
A
f
/A
i
= 10
(Particle size)
2
α
Surface area
1


