Skip to Content

Advanced Surface and Sorption Characterization of Functional Materials: From Molecular Interactions to Material Performance

Free-to-attend | Sorption Science In-person Workshop

Add to calendar:
Outlook Google Agenda
Sorption Science Masterclass Workshop Comes to Rome

Join us for an engaging Scientific Sorption Workshop, exploring advanced techniques for surface and sorption characterization and their applications across materials science and industrial research.

This workshop will introduce cutting-edge analytical techniques, including Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS), Inverse Gas Chromatography (iGC-SEA), gas adsorption, breakthrough analysis, membrane permeation and DVS-NMR. Through practical examples and application-focused discussions, discover how these technologies support research and innovation in pharmaceuticals, polymers, biomaterials, porous materials, carbon capture, catalysts and cultural heritage conservation.

Designed for researchers, scientists and industry professionals, the workshop offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of material properties, explore complementary characterization approaches and discover new solutions to experimental challenges.

Register now to gain valuable scientific insights, connect with fellow researchers and explore opportunities for collaboration. The afternoon will conclude with an informal Italian aperitivo, refreshments and networking, providing the perfect setting to continue conversations and exchange ideas.

  • Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS): Moisture sorption, hygroscopicity, sorption kinetics & material stability.
  • Hydrogels and Biomaterials: Hydration, swelling & water uptake behavior.
  • Pharmaceutical Materials: Moisture-induced transformations, amorphous stability & powder surface properties.
  • Polymers and Membranes: Moisture diffusion, permeability, plasticization & interfacial interactions.
  • Porous Materials and Adsorbents: Gas and vapor adsorption, surface properties & adsorption capacity.
  • Carbon-Based Materials: Surface energetics, adsorption behavior and functionalization of graphene, carbon nanotubes & activated carbons.
  • Cultural Heritage and Conservation: Moisture-related degradation, surface characterization & protective treatments.
  • Inverse Gas Chromatography (iGC-SEA): Surface energy, polarity, heterogeneity & acid-base interactions.
  • Catalysts and Functional Surfaces: Surface energetics, chemical interactions & surface  modification
  • Carbon Capture and CO2 Sorption: Adsorption capacity, kinetics & cyclic performance
  • Breakthrough Analysis (BTA): Competitive adsorption, gas separation & adsorbent performance
  • Membrane Permeation Analysis (MPA): Gas and vapor transport, permeability & selectivity.
  • Volumetric Gas Sorption: Gas adsorption isotherms, storage capacity & porous material characterization.
  • DVS-NMR: Coupling vapor sorption with molecular-level insights into hydration & molecular mobility.

14:00–14:10 | Welcome and Introduction

Introduction to advanced surface and sorption characterization and its relevance to materials research.

14:10–14:30 | Session 1 – Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS): Principles and Measurement Capabilities

  • Principles of gravimetric vapor sorption and high-sensitivity microbalance measurements.
  • Sorption/desorption isotherms, hysteresis and sorption kinetics.
  • Hygroscopicity, moisture-induced transformations and material stability.
  • Water and organic vapor interactions with solid materials.

14:30–15:25 | Session 2 – DVS Applications Across Materials Science

  • Hydrogels, microgels and biomaterials: Water uptake and release, hydration behaviour, swelling and moisture-dependent properties.
  • Pharmaceutical materials: Hygroscopicity, moisture-induced phase transitions, amorphous stability and formulation development.
  • Polymers and membranes: Water sorption, diffusion, plasticization and humidity-dependent performance.
  • Porous materials and adsorbents: Water and organic vapor adsorption, adsorption capacity and surface modification.
  • Cultural heritage and conservation: Moisture interactions with stone, wood, paper and conservation materials, and their relevance to degradation and preservation.

15:25–15:55 | Coffee Break & Networking

 15:55–16:25 | Session 3 – Inverse Gas Chromatography (iGC-SEA): Principles and Surface Characterization

  • Fundamental principles of inverse gas chromatography.
  • Dispersive and specific components of surface energy.
  • Surface energy distributions and energetic heterogeneity.
  • Acid–base interactions and surface polarity.
  • Influence of processing conditions, surface treatments and environmental factors.

16:25–17:10 | Session 4 – iGC Applications in Advanced Materials

  • Catalysts and functional surfaces: Surface energetics, heterogeneity and surface treatments.
  • Carbon-based materials: Graphene, carbon nanotubes, activated carbons and other functional carbon materials.
  • Pharmaceutical powders: Surface energy, adhesion-related interactions and formulation compatibility.
  • Polymers, composites and fibres: Interfacial interactions, adhesion and surface modification.
  • Porous and functional materials: Probe molecule interactions, surface polarity and adsorption-related properties.
  • Cultural heritage and conservation: Surface characterization of historical materials, protective coatings and restoration treatments.

17:10–17:50 | Session 5 – Advanced and Complementary Techniques: Carbon Capture, Gas Adsorption, Permeation and DVS-NMR

  • DVS Carbon – CO₂ Sorption and Carbon Capture
    • Gravimetric CO₂ adsorption and desorption measurements.
    • Sorption capacity, kinetics and cyclic adsorption behaviour.
    • Applications in carbon capture, porous adsorbents and functional carbon materials.
  • Breakthrough Analysis (BTA/BPA)
    • Dynamic gas and vapor adsorption and competitive adsorption.
    • Breakthrough curves, separation performance and adsorbent evaluation.
    • Case study combining DVS Carbon and BTA measurements to illustrate complementary equilibrium and dynamic adsorption characterization.
  • Membrane Permeation Analysis (MPA)
    • Gas and vapor transport through membranes.
    • Permeability, diffusion and selectivity.
    • Applications in membrane development and separation technologies.
  • Volumetric Gas Sorption
    • Gas adsorption isotherms and adsorption capacity.
    • Characterization of porous materials for gas storage, separation and carbon capture.
  • DVS-NMR – Combining Sorption Measurements with Molecular-Level Insights
    • Introduction to DVS-NMR technology.
    • Combining gravimetric vapor sorption with NMR measurements.
    • Opportunities to investigate molecular mobility, hydration and sorption-related changes in functional materials.

17:50–18:00 | Open Discussion, Q&A and Research Opportunities

  • Discussion of research challenges, experimental approaches and potential scientific collaborations.

From 18:00 onwards | Italian Aperitivo, Beer & Networking

  • Join us for refreshments, snacks and beer in a relaxed atmosphere.
  • An opportunity to continue scientific discussions, exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations.

Venue:

Room: Ex Museo

Department of Biology / Dipartimento di Biologia

University of Rome Tor Vergata

Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1

00133 Rome

Google Maps