AVS 47th International Symposium
    Material Characterization Tuesday Sessions
       Session MC-TuP

Paper MC-TuP21
Reduction of Artifacts in Temperature Programmed Desorption Measurements of Field Generated, Real-Life, Powdered Samples

Tuesday, October 3, 2000, 5:30 pm, Room Exhibit Hall C & D

Session: Poster Session
Presenter: V.S. Smentkowski, General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center
Authors: V.S. Smentkowski, General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center
A.L. Linsebigler, General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center
Correspondent: Click to Email
Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) is a powerful surface analytical technique used for studies of adsorbate systems under controlled, high vacuum, conditions. Even under controlled, high vacuum, conditions background events such as desorption from the mounting wires and/or the heater assembly can contribute to the TPD signal and complicates data analysis. Researchers often need to determine the desorption characteristics of field generated, real-life, samples that have been prepared under ambient conditions and TPD measurements are often utilized to provide the desorption characteristics. Since real-life samples are generated under ambient conditions, the potential for background effects is significantly enhanced. In many cases, background effects and their implications on data analysis are not considered. It will be demonstrated that background effects are very significant for real-life, field generated samples when traditional TPD measurements are performed. We have devised a novel experimental protocol to reduce background effects during TPD measurements of field generated, real-life, powdered samples. The novel experimental apparatus and procedures will be described. TPD spectra measured using the new protocol will be compared with spectra measured using traditional protocol.