Current Advances in Characterization of Nano-porous Materials: Pore Size Distribution and Surface Area

Abstract

Methods for characterizing the most important textural properties of porous materials, particularly pore size distribution (PSD) and specific surface area (SSA), using theoretical models to analyze standard experimental physisorption isotherms are reviewed. For PSD analysis, we explain the basics of the classical methods, including those based on the Kelvin equation and adsorption potential theory, as well as the modern molecular methods based on the density functional theory (DFT) and molecular simulation. For SSA analysis, the discussion is focused on kinetic theory, and primarily on the application of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method for characterization of microporous materials. Current advances and extensions of model-based methods are discussed, including those related to machine learning techniques. We reflect on the limitations of the current state-of-the-art methods and point out some possible directions for future studies.