The Chair of Mineralogy operates a BELSORP MINI X manufactured by Microtrac Retsch GmbH for the characterization of surface and pore properties of solid materials. The system enables the acquisition of adsorption and desorption isotherms and thus allows for the comprehensive investigation of porosity, specific surface area, and interactions between gases and solid surfaces.
One major field of application is the determination of the specific surface area according to the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method based on nitrogen (N₂) adsorption. In addition, the instrument allows the analysis of micro-, meso-, and macropores as well as the calculation of pore volumes and pore size distributions using various evaluation models. This enables conclusions to be drawn regarding the degree of crystallinity of mineral phases, weathering and alteration processes, as well as the reactivity of cements, clay minerals, and other fine-grained materials.
The BELSORP MINI X allows the simultaneous measurement of up to four samples and is suitable for materials with specific surface areas starting from approximately 0.3 m²/g. Owing to the high sensitivity and flexibility of the system, both dense and highly porous materials can be characterized reliably. The combination of surface and pore analysis makes the instrument an important tool in mineralogical, geoscientific, and materials science research.
Please contact the Chair of Applied Mineralogy for further information.