EFFECT OF MEAN PORE SIZE ON THE LOW-TEMPERATURE ADSORPTION OF NITROGEN ON ALUMINA
The effect of mean pore size on the low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen on two samples of alumina has been studied. The mean pore radius of one sample of alumina was 37 Å, and that of the other was 3100 Å. The two adsorption isotherms at −195.8 °C have been plotted in terms of the volume of gas adsorbed per square meter of surface area vs. relative pressure ratio. The data have been found to fall into three distinct regions. In the first region extending up to the relative pressure ratio of 0.3, the two isotherms are nearly identical. In the second region extending from the relative pressure ratio of 0.3 to 0.75, the isotherm for the small mean pore size alumina lies above that for the large mean pore size sample. In the third region extending from the relative pressure ratio of 0.75 up to saturation, the isotherm for the small mean pore size sample tends to level off whereas that for the large mean pore size sample rises rapidly with increase in the relative pressure ratio. The above experimental observations have been explained on the basis of capillary condensation.