NMRporeometria

NMRporeometria is an advanced analytical technique that combines nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with pore size distribution analysis. It is primarily used to characterize porous materials, such as soils, sediments, ceramics, and porous polymers, by measuring the distribution of pore sizes within a sample. The method leverages the principles of NMR to detect hydrogen atoms in the material, which are typically found in water or organic compounds adsorbed within the pores. By applying varying magnetic field strengths or pulse sequences, NMRporeometria can differentiate between protons located in different pore environments, allowing for the determination of pore size distributions.

The technique operates on the principle that the relaxation time of protons in a magnetic field is influenced by their proximity to surfaces. Smaller pores restrict molecular movement, leading to shorter relaxation times, while larger pores allow greater mobility, resulting in longer relaxation times. By analyzing these relaxation times, NMRporeometria can quantify the volume of pores of different sizes within a sample. This approach is particularly useful for studying materials with complex pore structures, where traditional methods like mercury intrusion porosimetry may be less effective or destructive.

NMRporeometria offers several advantages, including non-destructive sample analysis, the ability to measure pores in a wide size range (from sub-nanometer to micrometer scales), and the capacity to analyze hydrated or saturated samples without drying. It is widely applied in fields such as geology, materials science, and environmental engineering to assess porosity, permeability, and adsorption properties. However, the technique requires specialized equipment and expertise, limiting its accessibility compared to other porosimetry methods. Despite this, its versatility and precision make it a valuable tool for studying porous materials in various scientific and industrial applications.