Method for determining pore characteristics in porous materials

The present invention relates generally to characterizing porous materials and more particularly to a method for characterizing nanoporous materials. A method for measuring porosity of nanoporous materials is provided using atomic force microscopy (AFM). A surface topology map with sub-atomic resolution is created using AFM wherein the pore shape and size can be determined by measuring the pores that intersect the top or fracture surface. For porous materials requiring more accurate measurements, small scan areas with slow scan speed and fine AFM tips are used and a general estimation on distribution can be made from a sample area.