Curriculum
3-Day Physisorption Class
- The ASAP 2020 components and how they operate
- Sample preparation, including sample quantity, sample loading, and degas parameters
- Hands-on analyses, including BET analyses using both nitrogen and krypton, full adsorption & desorption isotherm collection using nitrogen, and a micropore analysis including free-space determination and subsequent sample port degassing
- An overview of physical adsorption theory, including surface area as well as mesopore and micropore characterization
- An overview of DFT/NLDFT theory
- Utilization of all ASAP 2020 software features and the programming of sample files to efficiently obtain accurate and reproducible data
- The customization and editing of all available reports and graphs, including reference and specification reports, plot overlays, data exporting, and SPC reports
- Data reduction, including BET, BJH, t-plot, DFT, and the use of the Physi ViewCalc tool.
- Operator Maintenance – meet with a member of our Service Department to discuss troubleshooting and user-maintenance
Typical Class Schedule
Day 1
Session 1: Lab – System and software overview / Preparation and degassing of two samples: carbon black for BET analysis and silica-alumina for full isotherm collection / Dewar filling and the use of isothermal jackets
Session 2: Lecture – Theory of Operation of the ASAP 2020
Session 3: Lab – Initiation of carbon black BET analysis
Lunch
Session 4: Lecture – A Discussion of Gas Adsorption, Surface Area, t-plot, and Mesopore Characterization including BJH and Dollimore Heal
Session 5: Lab – The programming and use of parameter files. / Preparation and degassing of Y Zeolite sample for free space determination prior to micropore analysis / Initiation of silica-alumina full isotherm collection
Day 2
Session 1: Lab – Initiation of Y Zeolite free space analysis
Session 2: Lecture – Overview of DFT Theory and The Use of the Physi ViewCalc Tool for Physisorption Data Reduction
Session 3: Lab – The manual re-degassing of Y Zeolite on the sample port / Preparation of a sample file for micropore analysis
Lunch
Session 4: Factory Tour
Session 5: Lab – Preparation and degassing of alumina for BET analysis using krypton / A review of the Options Menu / Initiation of Y Zeolite micropore analysis
Day 3
Session 1: Lab – Initiation of alumina BET analysis using krypton
Session 2: Lecture – A Review of Report Options, Data Reduction and Class-Generated Results
Lunch
Session 3: Lab – Data reduction and exporting / SPC Reports
Session 4: Service – A discussion of installation, calibration, and operator maintenance.
Background
The Micromeritics ASAP® 2020 Accelerated Surface Area and Porosimetry Analyzer uses the gas sorption technique to generate high-quality data for research and quality control applications. It is used to characterize the active and support surfaces of catalysts, to determine the high surface areas of adsorbents, and to determine the microporosity and hydrogen storage capacity of various nano materials. Materials with low surface areas such as powdered metals, glass fibers, and natural organic materials can also be analyzed. The pharmaceutical industry uses the ASAP 2020 to analyze tableted products, surface area being directly related to dissolution rate.