Surface area and pore texture of catalysts

The origin, the classification and the effect on catalytic performance of pore texture of heterogeneous catalysts are briefly examined. The techniques and the methods suitable for the determination of related properties (surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution) are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the most widely used ones: vapour adsorption at low temperature, mercury porosimetry, incipient wetness impregnation and picnometry. Advantages, disadvantages and applicability of each method to different pore textures are pointed out. The best choice of a group of methods, allowing a complete characterization of catalysts, is proposed.