Quantitative characterization of adsorption isotherms using isothermal microcalorimetry

The integral heat of adsorption of water vapor on sodium benzoate samples was determined at various partial vapor pressures using a heat conduction microcalorimeter. An equation is presented to describe the calorimetric integral heat response (mJ/g of solid) as a function of relative humidity. This equation, although similar in principle to the well-known BET equation, relates the heat evolved (rather than volume or mass of gas adsorbed) upon adsorption to the partial pressure of the gas. It qualitatively describes the shape of the calorimetric isotherm and quantitatively allows the calculation of "monolayer capacity" or the apparent surface area with water as the adsorbate. The modified BET equation was applied to the calorimetric adsorption data available in the literature. The surface area or the monolayer coverage values of the solid samples used in these studies were calculated from data-fitted parameter estimates. Good agreement was found between Vm or surface area values obtained by the application of the model to the calorimetric data and those reported by the authors using conventional gravimetric or volumetric measurement of adsorption. The model satisfactorily described the experimental calorimetric data of water vapor adsorption on sodium benzoate. The model equation and the use of isothermal microcalorimetry provide a means to obtain the water adsorption surface area of solid materials. The method may also be useful in comparing the surface properties of drugs and excipients obtained by different methods or from different sources. The microcalorimetric method to characterize adsorption is more sensitive and convenient in comparison with some of the conventional techniques.