Multi-gas surface area and pore size analysis system for characterization of micro- and nano-porosity of biochar and other biomaterials

该提案要求提供资金，用于购买最先进的系统，用于表征生物材料的表面积和孔径特征。 三个主要研究小组将使用这一仪器：第一组侧重于热解生物质（“生物炭”）的应用，第二组侧重于颗粒沉积和大气化学，第三组侧重于设计新型生物复合材料中使用的生物纤维和微/纳米多孔生物材料。 生物炭作为一种从废物中分离碳的手段，同时作为一种土壤调节剂，促进植物生长，最近受到了极大的关注。 高表面积和孔隙率是生物炭吸附各种物质的能力的关键物理特性，从水到植物营养素到重金属和其他环境污染物。 植物冠层和颗粒物的纳米尺度结构可能是固体和气溶胶的大气沉积和传输以及植物与大气之间的其他相互作用的重要决定因素，但很少受到关注。 同样，生物纤维和生物衍生多孔材料的孔隙率和物理微观结构对于理解生物复合材料设计中的粘附和粘合过程至关重要。 所要求的仪器将在这些领域的每一个研究中得到密集使用，在这些领域中，它对于实现测量至关重要，这将增强对表面积和孔隙率发挥关键作用的许多生物物理过程的机械理解。

This proposal requests funds for the purchase of a state-of-the-art system for characterization of surface area and pore size characteristics of biomaterials. Three major research groups will use this instrument: a primary group focused on applications to pyrolyzed biomass ("biochar"), a second group on particle deposition and atmospheric chemistry, and a third group on biological fibers and micro- / nano-porous biomaterials used in the design of novel biocomposite materials. Biochar has received great recent interest as a means to sequester carbon derived from waste materials while simultaneously acting as a soil conditioner that enhances plant growth. High surface area and porosity are critical physical properties accounting for biochar's capacity to sorb a wide variety of substances, ranging from water to plant nutrients to heavy metals and other environmental contaminants. Nano-scale structure of plant canopies and particulate matter may be an important determinant of atmospheric deposition and transport of solids and aerosols, as well as other interactions between plants and atmosphere, but has received little attention. Similarly, the porosity and physical microstructure of biological fibers and biologically derived porous materials are critical in understanding adhesion and bonding processes in the design of biocomposites. The instrument requested will receive intensive use in each of research these areas, where it is essential for enabling measurements that will enhance the mechanistic understanding of numerous biophysical processes in which surface area and porosity play a key role.