Measure the Uptake of Gases and Vapors by Materials Using the IGA-001

The IGA-001 gas sorption analyzer from Hiden Isochema is an efficient gravimetric analysis system designed for analyzing single component gas-liquid and gas-solid interactions. It can also be configured to monitor gas sorption processes from high pressure through to vacuum conditions. In addition, the system can be used as a high pressure thermobalance with a mass spectrometer interface.

The IGA-001 combines accurate computer control with measurement of temperature, pressure and mass change, enabling fully automatic analysis of gas sorption-desorption isotherms and isobars under wide operating ranges.

The system also features a range of sample environment options, with operating temperatures between -196°C and 1000°C, and a range of pressure from ultra-high vacuum (UHV) to 20 bar. The system’s unique IGA method enables continuous monitoring of weight data through a controlled change in gas pressure.

The typical sorptive materials used in the system include methane, carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and nitrogen.

Insights into the Product

Matt Gee, Product Support Manager at Hiden Isochema Ltd, speaks to AZoM.com about the IGA range:

What can the IGA range be used for?

The Intelligent Gravimetric Analyser (IGA) can be used to measure the uptake of gases and vapours by materials. These measurements have a broad range of applications from the study of new nanoporous materials for gas storage and separation applications through to the physical characterisation of active ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry.

How will the IGA range help users to achieve their aims and objectives?

The high stability of the microbalance and the precisely controlled isobaric operation of the IGA can provide users with very high quality gas and vapour sorption isotherms, and kinetic data on a timescale from minutes to days. This gives users unique information on gas-solid and vapour-solid interactions, whether for fundamental studies or more applied work, for example, in chemical engineering.

What do you feel are the main benefits and advantages of the IGA range compared to other available alternatives?

This product is aimed squarely at researchers who require flexibility and this is a key strength of the IGA. The control software allows users to do almost anything they wish within the bounds of the functionality of the instrument, which is often not the case with commercial instrumentation.

Accuracy is another advantage. Many gas sorption instruments use the manometric technique but gravimetric measurements are intrinsically more accurate for a number of reasons. Data produced by these instruments in a number of research fields and widely published in the scientific literature have proven that IGAs are the go-to choice for accurate gas and vapour sorption measurements.

Key Features

The main features of the IGA-001 gas sorption analyzer are:

High versatility

Unique IGA method enables determination of equilibrium isotherm and sorption kinetics

Inert gas loading option allows operation with moisture and air sensitive samples

Upgradation to other IGA series models

Cryo-cooling option enables controlled low temperature operation down to -196°C

Stable set point furnace enables accurate isothermal operation

Low thermal mass furnace facilitates rapid response ramping

Precise ramp-set-point PID pressure control

Applications

The major applications of the IGA-001 gas sorption analyzer are:

Chemisorption studies

Pore size distribution determination

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

Density determination

Specific surface area studies

Porosity determination

Kinetic analysis

Isotherm determination

Gas sorption analysis

Hydrogen storage