Pore shape affects the determination of the pore size of ordered mesoporous silicas by mercury intrusion
Résumé
The pore shape affects the pressure of mercury intrusion in ways not contemplated by the usual Washburn-Laplace or Kloubek-Rigby-Edler models. These models have been developed for cylindrical pores and correctly account for the penetration of mercury in the cylindrical pores of MCM-41. The uneven surface of the cylindrical pores of SBA-15 is responsible for a significant increase of the pressure of mercury intrusion and, thereby, for a corresponding underevaluation of the pore size if the classical pressure-size correlations are applied.