Characterization of nanomaterials by BET

First, the acronym BET stands for the gas adsorption specific surface area determination method described by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller.

The specific surface analysis by BET consists in determining the amount of gas necessary to form a mono-molecular layer around the solid sample. The cross section of the molecules being a specific characteristic for each gas, it is then possible to determine the total surface of the solid.

In the context of nanomaterials, their characterization by BET allows to determine their porosity as well as their specific surface. The determination of these properties is a key step in the regulatory analysis required by the R-Nano regulation or the REACH regulation.