Analysis of the morphology of high surface area solids: Studies of agglomeration and the determination of shape

• Published in: Journal of catalysis 1987-07, Vol.106 (1), p.202-209
• Main Authors: Conner, William Curtis, Blanco, C., Coyne, K., Neil, J., Pajares, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Catalytic reactions; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; General. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 0021-9517; 1090-2694
• DOI: 10.1016/0021-9517(87)90224-7

Characterization of the morphology of high surface area solids is most often accomplished by nitrogen desorption and/or mercury intrusion porosimetry. If the void/solid structure is viewed as an interconnected network, ad-de-sorption and retraction/intrusion may be associated with the openings and constrictions within the void network. This more realistic view adds another dimension to the analyses. The data can be analyzed as if the data consisted of agglomerated microspheres. This analysis proves consistent for compacted aerosol silicas but is inconsistent if the solid has a different morphology. More significantly, the ratios of the measured most probable radii of intrusion to those of retraction seem to be characteristic of the void solid structure and pore shapes, and thereby, it may be possible to infer the pore shapes and general structure from this more detailed analysis. A heuristic diagram of these trends is presented.