Studies on pore structure of adsorbents and catalysts: III. Comparison of pore size distributions determined in chrysotile and zirconia samples by mercury porosimetry and nitrogen capillary condensation

Abstract

Pore size distributions in iron oxide-chromium oxide, compressed Aerosil, zirconia powder, and loosely packed and compressed chrysotile have been determined by nitrogen capillary condensation (corrected Kelvin equation) and mercury penetration. In all samples except zirconia, the pore-volume vs pore-radius distributions determined by mercury penetration showed no overlap with those found from nitrogen capillary condensation, mercury penetration yielding distributions located at a 30–40% lower level of the pore radii. Following a discussion of the theoretical aspects and the experimental procedures and results, suggestions are advanced for explaining the discrepancies observed.