Investigating a Range of Solid Samples by Automatic Water Sorption

Abstract

The CISORP Water Sorption Analyser has been used to characterise a selection of solid samples at relative humidities from 0 to 100% and at ambient pressure. The analysis reveals many interesting features about the samples and shows the scope of the equipment.

Hysteresis due to porosity and differences in the physical properties of similar chemical samples show up clearly in isotherm curves. Kinetic curves reveal features such as the level of stability of dehydrated food products, changes in the hydration states of salts, and the effect of adding powdered excipient on the water sorption behaviour of a pharmaceutical compound. Kinetic curves were also used to compare the water sorption behaviour of two types of wood found inside a pine cone, and to determine equilibrium moisture sorption by calculation.

It was shown that many samples take up moisture irreversibly under the experimental conditions such as amorphous sucrose and other freeze-dried samples, as well as unstable crystalline forms of compounds. Wet samples such as soaked brick and archaeological wood from a well dry out irreversibly even at 100% RH.

Recording isotherms at different temperatures allows the calculation of enthalpies of water sorption. If these are compared with the enthalpy of water condensation the two processes can be compared quantitatively.