Automatic and low-cost determination of BET surface areas

A simple adsorption apparatus for a quick and reproducible determination of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas is described. The justification of proposing this device lies particularly in its flexibility, simplicity of construction and low price. The dimensions and the influence of external variables are discussed quantitatively. An adsorption measurement proceeds as follows: the adsorbate (argon) passes through a capillary tube into the adsorption vessel, the flow being constant. The increase of pressure with time is recorded and compared with the blank (empty adsorption vessel). The blank does not depend on the adsorbent. It takes about one hour to determine a surface area of 100 m2. The reproducibility and accuracy are 3% or better for surface areas larger than 10 m2. Surface areas down to 1 m2 can be measured by a suitable decrease of the argon flow.