An evaluation of microwave-assisted fusion and microwave-assisted acid digestion methods for determining elemental impurities in carbon nanostructures using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

TALANTA

卷:148

Article

Patole, Shashikant P.¹  Simoes, Filipa¹  Yapici, Tahir F.²  Warsama, Bashir H.²  Anjum, Dalaver H.³  Costa, Pedro M. F. J.¹ 

[1] King Abdullah Univ Sci & Technol, Phys Sci & Engn Div, Thuwal 239556900, Saudi Arabia

[2] King Abdullah Univ Sci & Technol, Analyt Core Lab, Thuwal 239556900, Saudi Arabia

[3] King Abdullah Univ Sci & Technol, Adv Imaging & Characterizat Lab, Thuwal 239556900, Saudi Arabia

关键词: Metrology;    Carbon nanotubes;    Graphene nanoplatelets;    Microwave-assisted acid digestion;    Microwave-assisted fusion;    Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.talanta.2015.10.053

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

It is common for as-prepared carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene samples to contain remnants of the transition metals used to catalyze their growth; contamination may also leave other trace elemental impurities in the samples. Although a full quantification of impurities in as-prepared samples of carbon nanostructures is difficult, particularly when trace elements are intercalated or encapsulated within a protective layer of graphitic carbon, reliable information is essential for reasons such as quantifying the adulteration of physico-chemical properties of the materials and for evaluating environmental issues. Here, we introduce a microwave-based fusion method to degrade single- and double-walled CNTs and graphene nanoplatelets into a fusion flux thereby thoroughly leaching all metallic impurities. Subsequent dissolution of the fusion product in diluted hydrochloric and nitric acid allowed us to identify their trace elemental impurities using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Comparisons of the results from the proposed microwave-assisted fusion method against those of a more classical microwave-assisted acid digestion approach suggest complementarity between the two that ultimately could lead to a more reliable and less costly determination of trace elemental impurities in carbon nanostructured materials. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

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