A flow-pulse adsorption-microcalorimetry system for studies of adsorption processes on powder catalysts.

A pulse chemisorption system combining a Tian-Calvet microcalorimeter (Setaram Sensys EVO 600) and an automated chemisorption apparatus (Micromeritics Autochem II 2920) was established to accurately measure differential adsorption heats of gas molecules' chemisorption on solid surfaces in a flow-pulse mode. Owing to high sensitivity and high degree of automation in a wide range of temperatures from -100 to 600 °C, this coupled system can present adsorption heats as a function of adsorption temperature and adsorbate coverage. The functions of this system were demonstrated by successful measurements of CO adsorption heats on Pd surfaces at various temperatures and also at different CO coverages by varying the CO concentration in the pulse dose. Key parameters, including adsorption amounts, integral adsorption heats, and differential adsorption heats of CO adsorption on a Pd/CeO2 catalyst, were acquired. Our adsorption-microcalorimetry system provides a powerful technique for the investigation of adsorption processes on powder catalysts.