Porosimetry - Pore Size, Pore Area and Pore Volume Distribution

Gas Adsorption Isotherms, Micropore Analysis and Mercury Porosimetry

Service Options

SC11 Series - Porosimetry by Mercury Porosimetry                           SC3 Series - Porosimetry by Gas Adsorption / Desorption SC40 - Micropore Analysis by Gas Adosprtion Pore sizes, pore size distribution and porosity are usually quoted in terms of micropore, mesopore and macropore ranges.   The most common techniques for porosimetry analysis are Mercury Porosimetry (covering the meso pore and macro pore ranges) and Gas Adsorption  (for the micro pore and meso pore range). Dedicated micropore analysis is provided for the smallest pore sizes and we offer a range of adsorptive  gases to meet with the most specialised of analyses. Information on these techniques and our analytical services is given below and on the respective  pages through the links.   No single porosimetry technique can determine pore size distribution, pore volume or the porosity of a sample throughout the entire range of pore  sizes. MCA Services offers both mercury porosimetry and gas adsorption / isotherm techniques for the determination of the pore size, pore area and  pore volume distributions and the measurement of sample porosity. The choice of  technique is dependent on the expected pore sizes within the  sample.  For the analysis of  mesoporous materials,  gas adsorption (adsorption isotherms) using our  Micromeritics TriStar II 3020 apparatus is recommended.  The pore size range covered by this technique is typically 2 nm to 300 nm but can be extended depending on the nature of the sample. Pore size, pore  area and pore volume data is reported together with BET surface area. The technique can also be used to identify the presence of microporosity,  offering rapid screening of materials prior to the application of dedicated micropore analysis.Dedicated micropore analysis is available for microporous  samples and this is provided by our Micromeritics 3Flex (micropore) instrument. A choice of adsorptive gases is available, including nitrogen, argon,  carbon dioxide and hydrogen and the technique again provides pore size, pore area and pore volume data.   For materials having larger pore sizes, mercury intrusion porosimetry is recommended and covers the approximate range 0.003 μm to  600 μm  (mesoporous to macroporous materials) - the larger size being dependent on the nature of the sample. This is conducted using a Micromeritics  AutoPore IV Mercury Porosimeter and provides pore size, pore area and pore volume. Furthermore, this test can be extended to the, measurement of  bulk density, skeletal density and porosity  . An alternative method for the determination of the total pore volume of a sample is by the combination of mercury pycnometry (bulk density  measurement) and helium pycnometry (absolute density measurement). A description of these techniques is provided on our density analysis page.     For further information on each technique and the data provided as part of our standard report packages please refer to the pages for each option.  Alternatively the staff at MCA Services will be happy to discuss and advise on suitable techniques for analysis.