Abstract
A sample of thorium oxide containing pores in the micro and transitional size range has been subjected, in a vacuum microbalance system, to various outgassing temperatures and water vapor treatments. The adsorptions of nitrogen and argon were used to investigate the pore structure. Changes in the pore structure of the solid and the nature of the bound water were observed to alter significantly the energetics and extent of nitrogen and argon adsorption. These properties emphasize the difficulties involved in characterizing an active solid of this type. An outgassing temperature as high as 400°C was required to eject water blocking entry to the micropores. As expected, nitrogen is able to penetrate the partially hydrated fine pore structure better than argon. Comparison (by means of t-plots) of nitrogen adsorptions showed the importance of carefully selecting the temperature of outgassing and the standard reference isotherm. This becomes especially true for measurement of the micropore volume; recommendations are included.
Published Version
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