Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A system and method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas include mass flow controllers configured to deliver a controllable mass flow of a carrier gas and adsorptive gas to vary concentration of the adsorptive gas flowing through at least one measurement channel containing a sample cell. A concentration detector downstream of the sample cell provides a signal indicative of the adsorptive gas concentration to a controller that determines the amount of adsorptive gas adsorbed and/or desorbed to characterize the surface area, pore volume, pore volume distribution, etc. of the sample material. The detector may include a housing, heat exchanger, thermal conductivity detector, and a temperature regulator.

Abstract: A method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas includes a controller that controls mass flow of a carrier gas and an adsorptive gas to form a mixture having a target concentration of the adsorptive gas over the sample, determining adsorptive gas concentration based on signals from a detector disposed downstream of the sample, automatically repeating the controlling and determining steps for a plurality of different target concentrations, and generating an isotherm for the sample based on the adsorptive gas concentration for the plurality of different target concentrations. The method may include immersing the sample in liquid nitrogen to cool the sample for all, or at least a portion of each of the different target concentrations. The target concentrations may vary from less than 5% to greater than 95%, and may vary in a stepwise manner.

Abstract: A system and method for surface characterization of a porous solid or powder sample using flowing gas include mass flow controllers configured to deliver a controllable mass flow of a carrier gas and adsorptive gas to vary concentration of the adsorptive gas flowing through at least one measurement channel containing a sample cell. A concentration detector downstream of the sample cell provides a signal indicative of the adsorptive gas concentration to a controller that determines the amount of adsorptive gas adsorbed and/or desorbed to characterize the surface area, pore volume, pore volume distribution, etc. of the sample material. The detector may include a housing, heat exchanger, thermal conductivity detector, and a temperature regulator.