Analysis and Characterization of Microporous Materials

Intertek ASG Laboratory, Manchester, UK

Analysis and Characterization of Microporous Materials

Intertek ASG is able to offer a range of techniques and technologies for assessment of microporous and composite microstructured materials, especially organic based (e.g. polymer beads), organic-inorganic composites and derivatives of these materials with surface functionality or encapsulated products. These techniques can be applied to early stage R&D, problem solving with established products, or to the development of new products requiring establishment of specifications and consistent quality. Techniques can be applied to assess morphology and physical properties such as surface area, porosity, distribution of chemicals in microstructures and accessibility of pores.

Relevant technologies include:

Imaging of overall material structures by microscopy
- SEM, TEM
- EDAX for maps of element distribution
- Staining techniques for imaging blends and multiphase polymer morphologies
- Freeze fracture for internal morphology structure
- Infrared (IR) and Fluorescence microscopy
- Particle size distribution image analysis software
Imaging structures in liquid dispersion, solution or gels
- Cryo SEM
- Access to environmental SEM
- Solid state NMR (e.g. for hydrogels or micro-encapsulated products)
Staining and tagging for imaging active site distribution
- Heavy metal antibody tags for biopharmaceutical formulations
- Specific imaging agents for general use
Micromanipulation of samples to separate out individual components and structures
- Microtoming
- Polishing
- Access to ion beam etching (FIB)
Gas Porosimetry (Helium) for measurement of
- BET Surface area
- Internal and external surface area
- Average pore volume and diameter