MRI: Acquisition of a Chemisorption-Physisorption Surface Area and Pore Size Analyzer for the Characterization of New Catalytic and Polymeric Materials at Trinity University

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Trinity University will acquire a chemisorption-physisorption surface area and pore size analyzer. This equipment will be used to fully characterize new supported bimetallic catalysts. In addition, student researchers at this predominantly undergraduate institution will be exposed to fundamental concepts of the rapidly growing fields of solid state and materials chemistry.

The determination of surface areas, pore sizes and chemisorption properties of catalysts is critical in evaluating both in evaluating new preparative procedures and in understanding how synthetic schemes affect metal particle morphology. The control over particle size and composition will allow the new catalysts to be used to understand how these fundamental factors impact activity and selectivity in oxidation reactions.