Monitoring metal catalyst content of carbon nanotubes during purification using X-ray fluorescence

POSTER

Abstract

There have been many studies that suggest that catalyst metals in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may pose a health threat. As there are several potential applications of CNTs in medicine, it is important to be able to quantitatively determine the amount of catalyst contained in a CNT sample. The relative catalyst content of carbon nanotube samples synthesized via arc-discharge has been determined at various stages of the purification process using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Purification was achieved by immersing samples in heated nitric acid. The intensities of the nickel K$\alpha $ X-rays were studied to determine the relative catalyst content in the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of purified nanotubes have been compared to the images of a sample that has been irradiated by 0--15keV bremsstrahlung in order to determine if the XRF analysis of the nanotubes is in any way destructive. No obvious structural defects were observed as the result of irradiation.

Authors

  • Brandon Cavness

    Angelo State University

  • Brandon Cavness

    Texas A\&M University, University of Punjab Lahore Pakistan, Department of Physics, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, BAE Systems, Advanced Systems and Technology, Nashua, NH 03061-0868, USA, Istanbul University, Beyazit, 34459 Istanbul, Turkey, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1051, USA, Texas Tech University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Texas A\&M University-Commerce, ATLAS Collaboration, Physics Department,The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Surgery (Emergency Medicine), The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas Tech University - Health Science Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, San Antonio College, Angelo State University, Angelo State University / Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Brandon Cavness

    Texas A\&M University, University of Punjab Lahore Pakistan, Department of Physics, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, BAE Systems, Advanced Systems and Technology, Nashua, NH 03061-0868, USA, Istanbul University, Beyazit, 34459 Istanbul, Turkey, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1051, USA, Texas Tech University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Texas A\&M University-Commerce, ATLAS Collaboration, Physics Department,The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Surgery (Emergency Medicine), The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas Tech University - Health Science Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, San Antonio College, Angelo State University, Angelo State University / Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Brandon Cavness

    Texas A\&M University, University of Punjab Lahore Pakistan, Department of Physics, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, BAE Systems, Advanced Systems and Technology, Nashua, NH 03061-0868, USA, Istanbul University, Beyazit, 34459 Istanbul, Turkey, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1051, USA, Texas Tech University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A\&M University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Texas A\&M University-Commerce, ATLAS Collaboration, Physics Department,The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Surgery (Emergency Medicine), The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas Tech University - Health Science Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, San Antonio College, Angelo State University, Angelo State University / Los Alamos National Laboratory