Assessment of the area occupied by the surface of particles that constitute a unit of mass, usually expressed in m2/g. Quantification of specific surface area is performed using the B.E.T. method, in which nitrogen molecules are adsorbed onto the surface of the sample particles. The technique also enables the evaluation of porosity and pore sizes in the particles through adsorption and desorption isotherms, allowing characterization of porosity profiles (micropores / mesopores). This is an important measurement, since all chemical reactions begin at the surface. It is therefore related to clay mineral plasticity, degree of grinding and particle sizes, reactivity during sintering, and chemical reaction processing, among other applications.
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