An apparatus for simultaneous thermodynamic and optical measurements, with large temperature excursions

We report the design and realization of an integrated system for measuring, at the same time, the thermodynamic and spectroscopic features of nanoporous materials interesting for hydrogen storage purposes. The whole investigation cycle, from thermal activation to the actual investigation of uptake and release of hydrogen, is carried out in the same vacuum tight vessel, equipped with an optical window, whose temperature can range between 10 and 750 K, up to a maximum pressure of 50 bars. The system has been designed to investigate properties of carbon nanotubes but its use can be extended to any kind of nanoporous sample such as, for example, carbon nanofibers, zeolytes, metal organic frameworks, and similar materials.