BET-ANALYSIS

By Brunauer–Emmett–Teller
1938
Introduction
◦ The theory was given by Stephen Brunauer, Paul Hugh Emmett, and Edward Teller.
◦ Directly measures surface area and pore size distribution of the sample
◦ BET theory is an extension of Langmuir adsorption model; the theory deviate from ideal to actual analysis.
◦ Langmuir model of adsorption explain the adsorption by considering the adsorbate behaviour as an ideal gas under isothermal
condition(ΔT =0).
◦ BET theory applies to the multilayer adsorption surface; utilizes chemically inert gas(Nitrogen, air) which do not react with
the surface of the surface.
Underlying Principles
Extension of the adsorption process: BET principles:
◦ Kinetic behavior of the adsorption process.
o Homogeneous surface
◦ Rate of adsorption is equal to the rate of desorption. o No lateral interactions between molecules
◦ Heat of adsorption was taken to be constant. o Uppermost layer is in equilibrium with vapour phase
o First and Higher layer: Heat adsorption
o All surface sites have same adsorption energy for adsorbate
Assumptions: o Adsorption on the adsorbent occurs in infinite layers
• Gas molecules behave ideally. o The theory can be applied to each layer
• Only single monolayer forms.
• All sites on the surface are equal
• No adsorbate-adsorbate interatom.
• Adsorbate molecules is immobile.
Analysis Protocols

Sample preparation:
◦ Weigh solid sample (200 ≈ 300 mg)
The mass of powder to insert to the measuring system is calculated from: Wp=Wc - Wt [g]
Wt - Weigh one empty test tube together with its rack and stopper.
Wc – Weight of sample in test tube after degassing(purification of sample by temperature, time, vacuum conditions).
◦ Instrumentation
Continue,

◦ Results Sample Surface area Pore size

Data representation: (m^2/g) (nm)
◦ Graphically
◦ Tabular
SiO2 25.7 100
There are total to 6 types adsorption isotherms of BET SiO2/Al2O3 215.5 11
which are discussed next slides.

Q Ads
P/Po
Continue,

• Type I
1. Concave to P/Po axis
2. n approaches limiting value as P/ Po → 1
3. Microporous solids

• Type II
1. Unrestricted mono-multilayer adsorption
2. B indicates complete monolayer coverage
3. Non-porous or macroporous.
Continue,

• Type III
1. Convex to P/Po axis
2. Not common
3. Adsorbate-adsorbate interactions

• Type IV
1. Hysteresis loop
2. Capillary condensation that occurs in a mesopores
3. Limit uptake of high P/Po
4. Initial loop = mono-multilayer adsorption
5. 2nd loop= desorption
Continue,

• Type V
1. Not common
2. Weak adsorbate-adsorbate interactions
3. Porous adsorbents

• Type VI
1. Sharpness of peaks depends on the system and T
2. Stepwise multilayer adsorption on a uniform non-porous
surface
 S

◦ is the molecular cross sectional area of the adsorptive (0.162nm^2 for N2)
◦ A is the Avogadro constant
◦ is the molar gas volume of the adsorptive
◦ m is the sample mass
◦ isotherm slope
Limitations

◦ In porous materials, only the holes in the passage allow gas to pass; But BET measures the level of cavities in the path and
closed cavities. If the sample contains significant cavity values, the BET method measure the amount of surface that does not
actually pass through some of the gas. Therefore measurement error in this method is high.
◦ Time-consuming method.
◦ Technique is not suitable for powder sample with a micrometric particle size.
Advantages

◦ Used to determine porosity and surface area, adsorption based method.

◦ The ability to measure porosity a magnitude of 0.4 to 50 nm.
◦ Low cost
THANK YOU
-By Harshit Tiwari
A012116618003