Assisting Nanomaterials Manufacturer
Through Microscopy: A Case Study
THE PROBLEM: A government agency had asked a manufacturer to determine if carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were released from their filtration product during normal use. The product contained both carbon nanotubes and activated carbon particles. MVA was asked to measure the concentration of carbon nanotubes being released by the product into the liquid that flowed through it.
THE ANALYSIS: MVA scientists constructed an apparatus through which a known volume of liquid could be collected at specific flow intervals. The collected liquid samples were filtered and analyzed for carbon nanotubes.
THE IMAGE: The top image on the left shows the pure activated carbon. The right image shows a typical CNT.
THE OUTCOME: No carbon nanotubes were found, either individually or associated with the carbon-rich particles from the filters. MVA helped the filter manufacturer show that no nanotubes were being released from the filters. The manufacturer successfully resolved the issue with the government agency.