Open AccessA new interference method of measuring the surface area of film catalysts. Part I.—The theory
Author(s) -
F. H. Constable
Publication year - 1928
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series a, containing papers of a mathematical and physical character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9150
pISSN - 0950-1207
DOI - 10.1098/rspa.1928.0093
Subject(s) - catalysis , surface (topology) , interference (communication) , oxide , metal , materials science , gas phase , phase (matter) , chemical engineering , chemistry , chemical physics , nanotechnology , metallurgy , organic chemistry , mathematics , electrical engineering , geometry , engineering , channel (broadcasting)
One of the great difficulties presented in all investigations on the catalysis of heterogeneous gas reactions is the experimental preparation of a catalyst of definite mass associated with a measurable and reproducible surface area. Masses of metallic oxide, when reduced at low temperatures, give a metal which has often a considerable activity, but an entirely unknown surface area, which is liable to considerable variation. The use of supported catalysts is a considerable advance. The mass of the catalyst is fixed, and since the whole mass may be rapidly oxidised and reduced, leaving no massive metal beneath unattacked, the variations in the surface area presented to the gas phase is considerably restricted. The external surface will vary with the method of production of the film, and it is the purpose of this paper to describe a general method of measuring this surface, the determination of the surface area of these films being of vital importance in the study of their catalytic properties.