Porosity Measurement

Porosity in nanoparticles refers to the presence of pores or voids within or between the particles. This characteristic can significantly affect the physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanoparticles and is a crucial factor in various applications:

• Increased Surface Area: Higher porosity generally leads to an increased surface area, which is crucial for reactions that occur at the surface.
• Catalytic Activity: In catalysis, more porous nanoparticles can enhance the availability of active sites, thereby improving catalytic efficiency.
• Drug Delivery: Nanoparticles with high surface porosity can accommodate more drug molecules, which can be released in a controlled manner.
• Sorption Capacity: In environmental applications, porous nanoparticles can adsorb pollutants more effectively.

Types of Porosity

• Open Porosity: Refers to pores that connect to the external environment and can affect the accessibility of materials within the nanoparticle.
• Closed Porosity: Involves pores that are not connected to the external surface, which can trap gases or liquids.

Nanoparticles Porosity Measurement Techniques

STEMart offers specialized services for porosity measurement, employing state-of-the-art techniques.

• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

While primarily an imaging technique, TEM can also give insights into pore structures at the nanoscale when combined with image analysis.

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Similar to TEM, SEM can visualize surface structures and provide qualitative information on porosity.

• Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry

This technique measures the volume and size distribution of pores by forcing mercury into the nanoparticle sample under high pressure. It is effective for determining the porosity of materials with larger pores.

• Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) Analysis

This is one of the most commonly used techniques for measuring surface area and porosity. It involves the adsorption of a gas (typically nitrogen) onto the surface of the nanoparticles and calculating the surface area based on the volume of gas adsorbed at different pressures.

• Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) Analysis

Often used in conjunction with the BET method, the BJH method analyzes the desorption isotherm to calculate the pore size distribution and volume of mesopores in the material.

Our commitment to high-quality and reliable test results ensures that clients receive validated data, allowing for informed decision-making in research and product development. For more information about our nanoparticles porosity measurement service, please contact us.