Byung Il Choi

Results of round robin test for specific surface area

Specific surface area is becoming a very important factor when newly developed advanced nano-materials are evaluated. But there have been many differences in results when measuring specific surface areas, depending on the measuring equipments and analysis method. To verify the reliability of the specific surface area measurement device supplied within the country, Round Robin Test (RRT) has been done at 21 affiliated research institutes. As a result, it was found that several institute had problems in measuring of gas adsorption amount in measuring equipment, and this proved the need for certified reference material (CRM). Furthermore, it was also found that the results from BET analysis is easily swayed by the analyst`s subjectivism, and the calculated results may differ up to 16% in case of CRM I depending on the selection range of BET analysis. So this showed that a standard guideline for BET constant C value and fitting correlation coefficient R is needed, to properly select range in BET analysis. The experience in RRT, distribution of CRM, and standardized procedure would result in improved reliability in industrial processes, and thus, would contribute to the quality management, the productivity improvement, the safety evaluation, and the new material development.