Ultra-Fast Multipoint BET Surface Area Measurements

Microtrac offers a full range of innovative BET surface area analyzers. A modular design allows clients to customize their gas adsorption products to tailor the instrument to their characterization needs. Whether it is determining the micropore structure in a material or evaluating material capacity for different gases and vapors, Microtrac offers a variety of gas adsorption analyzers. The BELSORP Mini X is a compact and lightweight instrument designed for fast and easy surface area measurements to meet both quality and process control environments.

The performance and quality of many manufactured materials, such as silicas, aluminas, carbons, and zeolites, are directly related to the surface area of the material. To measure the BET surface area of a material, a surface area analyser will first need to measure the free space of the sample cell with helium to determine the sample cell volume. The instrument then doses precise amounts of nitrogen gas to the sample cell and calculates the amount of nitrogen adsorbed from the measured free space. This is a valuable tool for validating material properties, but these measurements can take days to complete. Fast response times of BET surface area results and reliable precision are crucial in production environments, so adsorption analysers that can determine surface area quickly are highly desired. The new Quick BET function for the BELSORP Mini X is specifically designed to satisfy these high-throughput industry needs.

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Ultra-Fast BET Surface Area Measurements

The Belsorp BET surface area analysers have unique models with up to 4 sample ports, each with dedicated pressure transducers for simultaneous measurements. With the new and improved BELCONTROL software, the Belsorp Mini X is now the smallest, lightest, and FASTEST multi-point BET surface area analyser available. All gas adsorption analysers require a free space measurement to accurately calculate the volume of gas adsorbed. Measuring the free space can be a lengthy process for each sample, and issues with throughput and precision can arise if a dead volume value is entered instead of measured. In process control and quality control environments, reducing measurement time is crucial to fast feedback with production. Some equipment can take longer than an hour to determine the dead volume of a sample cell, and then even more time is needed for the isotherm. With BELCONTROL, the Belsorp Mini X can now measure the free space, the isotherm, AND calculate the BET surface area in less than 30 minutes for up to 4 samples simultaneously! Whether the surface area criteria require five points, three points, or a single point to calculate the BET surface area, the new BELCONTROL software is designed for quality control testing to maximize sample throughput without sacrificing precision.

Convenient Output of Results

The BELMASTER 7 software is a powerful analysis tool for calculating pore size distributions and BET surface area from an isotherm. However, measuring isotherms and then analysing data can slow the response time of the results and introduce variability in the report, which is not ideal for quick responses in process control. With BELCONTROL, there is no need to use the analysis software. Instead, the BET range can be set in the measurement template. The software automatically generates a PDF of the BET results immediately after isotherm completion to remove analysis time and ensure data integrity.

Simplified Measurements

Whether researching new materials or testing multiple batches for quality assurance, optimizing parameters for a BET isotherm can be time-consuming. Operators can select templates to conveniently meet their experiment needs and save time. If multiple samples are being characterized, each port can have its target pressure and dosing settings. With a fully customizable measurement template, the measurement time and precision are greatly improved regardless of the material composition, surface area, or number of data points. The Gas Dosing Optimization (GDO) simplifies this even further. For repeat analysis testing, no premade templates are necessary. A previous isotherm can be loaded in, and the dosing parameters are automatically calculated based on the uptake and BET surface area. No need for optimization or trial and error.

Ultra-Fast Multipoint BET Surface Area Measurements - Gyakori kérdések

How Fast Can BELControl Measure a Surface Area?

The BET surface area measurement time depends on several factors, such as how many samples are being measured simultaneously, how many data points are collected, and the surface area of the sample. If a previous free space is loaded in, the BET surface area can be determined in less than 10 minutes. But entering a free space can introduce inconsistencies due to variations in the free space from day to day. The free space measurement takes less than 15 minutes for up to 4 samples with BELControl.

Why is the Free Space Measurement Important?

The Free Space is the volume of the sample cell, excluding the volume of the sample. The only way to calculate the BET surface area is to first measure the volume of the sample cell. This is done with helium because helium typically does not adsorb to any material even at cryogenic temperatures.

How Fast Can BELControl Measure a Surface Area?

Gas adsorption and the BET surface area are important for any material where solid-gas interactions are relevant. Zeolite catalysts are used for oil refining, carbon adsorbents for filtration, silica or alumina supports for catalysis or separations, MOF or COF adsorbents for gas storage and separations, and battery materials. The surface area of these materials directly relates to their performance in the end application, and a reliable BET surface area characterization is important for quantifying that performance.