This free online workshop, was organised with Fraunhofer IFAM, and we explore using advanced vapor sorption techniques and instrumentation to explore and evaluate the diffusion behaviours of solid state materials.

Discussing this topic are two leading experts in vapor sorption analysis, Dr. Michael Hoffmann (Fraunhofer IFAM) & Dr. Anett Kondor (Surface Measurement Systems). They explore the Dynamic Vapor Sorption and Inverse Gas Chromatography techniques, and how they are employed by labs across the world to provide detailed insight on diffusion.

This workshop organized with Universität Magdeburg explores advanced and innovative sorption techniques for analyzing catalysts, adsorbents, and functional materials for heat pumps.

Delivered by the world’s leading sorption instrumentation specialists, Surface Measurement Systems, the session dives into the advanced gravimetric sorption technique, Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS). This webinar provides insight on applications for studying zeolites, binary co-sorption of MOFs, VOC capture, silica gels and adsorption heat pumps.

Surface Measurement Systems and Finnceres collaborated to host a free-to-attend hybrid-workshop that highlighted the benefits of employing advanced sorption techniques in the characterization of bio-based materials.

This workshop features two presentations by world-leading experts in sorption science, Prof. Daryl Williams (Imperial College London) and Dr. Anett Kondor (Surface Measurement Systems). They introduce and explore the benefits of the Dynamic Vapor Sorption and Inverse Gas Chromatography techniques. With explorations of industrial applications, it’s a great opportunity to gain detailed insight
into these techniques, and how they could be employed in your research.

Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) is a rapid technique to determine thermodynamic parameters of gas-solid interactions and to characterize physicochemical properties of solid substrates. IGC offers its applicability where it is difficult and even impossible to characterize the surface of some forms of solids (powders and particulates) by means of other popular techniques as wetting method or FTIR. Solids and highly viscous liquids in many forms can be easily studied by means of IGC [1]. In this short presentation, we show three applications of IGC at high temperature and we introduce the new IGC- SEA system with high temperature oven.

First, adsorption isotherm data of several alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene) were measured in the temperature range of 423–523 K on a partially dealuminated faujasite type DAY F20 zeolite by inverse gas chromatography. The gas–solid equilibria and modelling were interpreted on the basis of the interfacial properties of the zeolite, by dispersive, specific and total surface energy heterogeneity profiles and distributions of the adsorbent measured by surface energy analysis.

Diffusion and mass transfer play a significant role in several materials processing operations. Diffusion and mass transfer are also of crucial importance in affecting the structure of solid products including segregation phenomena in castings and impurity distribution in crystal growth [2]. In the second study diffusion coefficients of cyclohexane and toluene on two catalyst samples were measured at 523 °C and 573 K and the uncertainty in the measurement was also determined.

In the last study, we investigated the thermal stability of anode and cathode materials by measuring the surface energetics at different temperatures, which is important during development of the battery materials, besides energy density, power density, lifetime, charging rate, cost and safety.

[1] A. Voelkel et al., Inverse gas chromatography as a source of physiochemical data, Journal of Chromatography A., 1216 (2009)
[2] Iguchi, M., Ilegbusi, O.J., (2013) Diffusion and Mass Transfer, Basic Transport Phenomena in Materials Engineering. Springer, London, 135- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54020-5

The Importance of Surface Energy and Wettability in Biomaterials with Dr. Daniel J. Burnett

Abstract:
Surface energy is an important parameter for the characterization of surface properties. It can provide a useful picture of the energetic situation on the surface and shows a strong dependency on various macroscopic material properties. For example, it is directly related to the interfacial adhesion between two surfaces. In particular to biomaterials understanding the surface interactions of these materials becomes important as these could influence their biological reactivity, binding or adsorption interactions in different bioprocesses as well as the functionality of several biomolecules. In this review presentation, several case studies focused on measuring the surface energy and wettability of proteins, bioglasses, bone cements, and dental materials will be introduced. Work is highlighted by recent investigations from the authors. In particular, the surface energy as a function of relative humidity was investigated on proteins and glycine oligomers. In addition, previously published work from other groups will be introduced.

Surface Energy and Surface Area Studies on Pharmaceutical Powders using Inverse Gas Chromatography with Prof. Daryl Williams

Abstract:

The surface characterization of pharmaceutical powders is critical for many of the unit processes which occur with the manufacture of particulate based solid state dosage forms. In particular, the surface energy and the surface area are arguably the most important two surface property descriptors. This presentation illustrates how IGC can be used to measure the surface area of low surface areas pharmaceutical solids, including the surface area as a function of relative humidity. In the main part of this talk, the wide range of unit processes will be highlighted where the importance of powder surface energy can be demonstrated including granulation, powder flow, powder milling and dissolution. In particular the usefulness of surface energy heterogeneity mapping using IGC will be highlighted.

This workshop was organized in collaboration with Amofor and the University of Dortmund. Advanced sorption techniques can be essential characterization tools in the research and development of new pharmaceutical compounds and materials. Gain a deep understanding of advanced gravimetric sorption techniques, such as Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) and Inverse Gas Chromatography (iGC), and how they can be employed to gain unparalleled detail and accuracy in materials research.

Along with special guest speaker Dr. Christian Lübbert (Amofor) exploring some of his recent research, the workshop features two leading Application Science experts from Surface Measurement Systems, Meishan Guo and Connor Hewson.

This workshop is organized in collaboration with the University of Manchester. Advanced sorption techniques can be essential characterization tools in the research or catalysts, porous solids, and medical care materials. In this session, we give you a deep understanding of advanced gravimetric sorption techniques, such as Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) and Inverse Gas Chromatography (iGC), and how they can be employed to gain unparalleled detail and accuracy in materials research.

Along with special guest speaker Dr. Xiaolei Fan (University of Manchester) exploring some of his recent research, the workshop features two leading Sorption Science experts from Surface Measurement Systems, Dr. Vladimir Martis and Meishan Guo, who share their expertise.

This in-depth workshop discovers how advanced sorption techniques can be used to gain accurate and reliable data on the interaction between different medias and surface and bulk properties of materials. This was explored by one of the world’s leading experts in sorption science, Professor of Particle Science at Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, and Founder & MD of Surface Measurement Systems, Prof. Daryl Williams.

Though chromatographic methods tend to be associated with analytical chemistry as well as separations science, chromatographic approaches are powerful physical chemistry methods for understanding interactions between solids and solutes, both in the gas and liquid phases.

Organized in coordination with the Collaborative Research Centre 1411 Design of Particulate Products, FAU – Erlangen, this presentation reviews a number of the physical chemistry based chromatographic approaches, and will give a number of examples of these methods in operation including:

• Inverse gas chromatography determination of adsorbent surface areas including freeze dried solids, at room temperature and room humidity
• Determination of diffusion constants for porous catalysts for liquid phase reactants using zero column length chromatography
  -Protein-protein interactions in solution and aggregation propensity using self interaction chromatography to determine second virial coefficients

The fundamental physical processes behind the hysteresis phenomena in keratin water sorption isotherms are still uncertain. To examine the role of swelling in this process, hair was modified via reduction and dyeing to measure the impact of reduced inter-keratin bonding on hysteresis. Water sorption isotherms were measured using Dynamic Vapour Sorption, and fibres were characterised using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Hair fibres with reduced crosslinks from damage procedures showed a higher amorphous content, indications of glass transitions at lower relative humidity, and faster relaxation properties, resulting in distinctly different hysteretic properties to that of untreated hair. This work concludes that hysteresis is dependent on the swelling ability of keratin, which allows greater plasticisation of glassy regions in the fibre by water. This swelling is strongly governed by disulphide bond content.

For Contract Research Organizations (CRO), being able to offer the most accurate, reliable, and flexible services is an essential part of the business plan. At Surface Measurement Systems we develop and manufacture the world’s leading materials characterization instrumentations, based on our own ground breaking techniques and innovations. Designed exclusively for the CRO community, this workshop will explore the characterization of various materials using our two core techniques, Dynamic Vapor Sorption and Inverse Gas Chromatography. With examples from the food & pharma industries, the latest research will be used to demonstrate the benefit these techniques offer to your customers.

This workshop demonstrates the application of vapour sorption solutions as a rapid characterisation technique that considers several environmental and industrial conditions for characterising a wide range of materials.