Analysis of mercury porosimetry for the evaluation of pore shape and intrusion-extrusion hysteresis.

The use of mercury porosimetry to determine pore size and pore distribution is currently applied in a variety of areas where powders or membranes are utilized. Conventional analysis of mercury porosimetry data assumes a cylindrical pore configuration. The method of analysis presented in this study requires no geometrical assumptions to be made and provides a means to graphically delineate between different pore geometries. This method of analysis also provides data that shows evidence for the existence of different pore shapes within the same sample, where only cylindrical pores have been assumed in the past. Furthermore, this method of analysis makes it possible to evaluate intrusion and extrusion data and to postulate as to the validity of contact angle and volume hysteresis.