Multi Length-Scale Characterisation Inorganic Materials Series

This volume examines important experimental techniques needed to characterise inorganic materials in order to elucidate their properties for practical application. Addressing methods that examine the structures and properties of materials over length scales ranging from local atomic order to long-range order on the meso- and macro-scopic scales, Multi Length-Scale Characterisation contains five detailed chapters: 

• Measurement of Bulk Magnetic Properties
• Thermal Methods
• Atomic Force Microscopy
• Gas Sorption in the Analysis of Nanoporous Solids
• Dynamic Light Scattering

Ideal as a complementary reference work to other volumes in the series (Local Structural Characterisation and Structure from Diffraction Methods) or as an examination of the specific characterisation techniques in their own right, Multi Length-Scale Characterisation is a valuable addition to the Inorganic Materials Series.

Preface xiii

List of Contributors xv

1 Measurement of Bulk Magnetic Properties 1
Scott Turner

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Magnetic Measurement based on Measuring a Force or Torque 34

1.3 Magnetic Measurement based on Induction 38

1.4 The Evans NMR Method 53

1.5 Brief Notes on Complementary Techniques 54

References 59

2 Thermal Methods 63
Michel B. Johnson and Mary Anne White

2.1 Introduction 63

2.2 Thermal Analysis 64

2.3 Heat Capacity 85

2.4 Thermal Conductivity 95

2.5 Thermal Expansion 108

2.6 Conclusion 114

References 115

3 Atomic Force Microscopy 121
Pablo Cubillas and Michael W. Anderson

3.1 Introduction 121

3.2 History 122

3.3 The Basics of How AFM Works 123

3.4 Important Developments in AFM 146

3.5 Specialised Scanning Modes 156

3.6 Applications 164

References 185

4 Gas Sorption in the Analysis of Nanoporous Solids 195
Philip Llewellyn

4.1 Introduction 195

4.2 What is Adsorption, Why do Fluids Adsorb and How Can Adsorption Phenomena be Visualised? 198

4.3 Adsorption Experiments 204

4.4 Interpretation of Isotherms to Estimate Porous Solid Characteristics 212

4.5 Conclusion 227

References 229

5 Dynamic Light Scattering 233
Erika Eiser

5.1 Introduction 233

5.2 Theoretical Background 235

5.3 Applications 250

Distributions 253

5.4 Instrumental Developments and New Methods 262

5.5 Physical Chemistry Applications 272

5.6 Conclusion 279

References 279

Index 283

Duncan Bruce is Professor of Liquid Crystals and Materials Chemistry at the University of York. Prior to this he was Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Exeter, and co-director of the Sheffield Centre for Molecular Materials. His current research interests include liquid crystals and nanoparticle-doped, nanostructured, mesoporous silicates. He is immediate Past President of the Royal Society of Chemistry Materials Chemistry Division and Chair of the British Liquid Crystal Society. His work has been recognized by various awards including the RSC Tilden Prize for 2010, the RSC's Sir Edward Frankland Fellowship and Corday-Morgan Medal and Prize.

Dermot O'Hare is Professor in the Chemistry Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford. His interests are wide ranging, and include exploratory synthetic organometallic chemistry, intercalation chemistry, time-resolved, in situ diffraction studies and the synthesis of meso- and microporous solids.
In 2010 he won the RSC Ludwig Mond award for outstanding research in Inorganic chemistry.

Dr Richard Walton is Associate Professor in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Warwick. He was also formerly based in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Exeter. His research group works in the area of solid-state materials chemistry and has a number of projects focusing upon the synthesis, structural characterization and properties of inorganic materials.