Our   gas   adsorption   and   mercury   porosimetry   techniques   are   applicable   to   the   investigation   of   component   materials,   such   as   carbons, graphites   and   active   cathode   materials.   An   understanding   of   the   porous   nature   of   these   is   vital   for   determining   packing   characteristics, electrode   conductivity   and   electrochemical   activity.   Careful   selection   of   raw   materials   having   optimum   porosity   is   often   required   so   that   a desired balance between efficiency and cycling lifetime is achieved. The   porous   nature   of   finished   electrodes   is   likely   to   be   different   from   the   components   materials   due   to   processing   and   additives. However,   this   porosity   exerts   profound   influence   over   electrolyte   transport,   conductivity,   availability   of   active   reaction   sites,   mechanical stress,   charge   /   discharge   characteristics   and   cycling   lifetime.   Mercury   porosimetry   is   ideally   suited   to   the   characterisation   of   finished electrodes   and   can   be   extended   to   measure   the   tortuosity   of   a   pore   network,   providing   vital   information   relating   to   many   of   these performance measures. Mercury   porosimetry   is   also   applicable   to   the   determination   of   the   porous   structure   of   separator   materials,   where   a   tight   distribution   of pores of a certain size is demanded for efficient transfer properties.  For   active   metal   impregnated   systems,   the   active   metal   surface   area   and   dispersion   can   be   measured   accurately   by   chemisorption (chemical   adsorption).   MCA   Services   offers   a   range   of   adsorptive   options,   CO   and   H ₂    being   commonly   applied,   and   two   techniques:   static and dynamic (pulse) chemisorption. A wide range of active metals and metal loading s can, therefore, be characterised.   MCA   Services   offers   a   complete   suite   of   techniques      for   the   characterisation      of   porosity   with   the   experience   and   expertise   to   actively assist   with   interpretation   of   results.   We   have   extensive   experience   in   the   characterisation   of   carbons   and   graphites   as   well   as   research   and development   of   Li-ion   battery   technology.      Our   ongoing   in-house   research   has   focused   on   battery   and   super-capacitor   applications:   a   field in which we have journal publications.   Key Techniques:· BET Surface Area - by nitrogen or krypton adsorption Micropore Analysis - pore size, area and volume distribution Gas Adsorption - pore size, area  and volume distribution in the mesopore range Mercury Porosimetry - for pore size, pore volume & pore area distribution Mercury Porosimetry - for cavity to throat size evaluation Permeability and Tortuosity measurement via Mercury Porosimetry & Pycnometry Chemisorption by a range of gases for analysis of catalysts Density measurement - absolute density, bulk density & skeletal density Total Pore Volume and Solid Fraction measurement

CHARACTERISATION OF BATTERY COMPONENTS The   porous   nature   of   electrode   components,   finished   electrode   architectures   and   separator   materials   is   critical   to the   performance   optimisation   of   battery   systems.   Pore   volume   and   pore   size   distribution   have   profound   effects on   energy   density,   electrolyte   transport   characteristics,   electrode   conductivity,   cycling   lifetime   &   degradation   and availability   of   active   sites   for   electrochemical   reaction.   When   electrode   materials   contain   active   metals   doped   to   a substrate, their dispersion and surface area have a primary influence over battery performance and efficiency. The    understanding        of    the    porosity    of    battery    components    is,    therefore,    necessary    at    all    stages    of    battery development:   materials   selection,   production   and   failure   analysis.   Measuring   the   dispersion   and   surface   area   of active metals by chemisorption is a valuable tool for the understanding and optimisation of battery systems. Key Benefits: • Pore volume and pore size distribution characterisation • Tortuosity measurement for studying pore networks • Characterisation of component material porosity • Characterisation of finished electrode porosity • Measurement of active metal properties via chemisorption • Establishing process control settings for electrode manufacture • Characterisation of separator porosity • Assistance with data interpretation • Expansive data presentation and comparative overlay options • Highly experienced in catalysis and electro-catalysis