Determination of Moisture Content of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Published

October 17, 2011

Author(s)

Rolf L. Zeisler, Rabia Oflaz, Ralph E. Sturgeon, Rick L. Paul, Brian E. Lang, Jeffrey A. Fagan, Joseph W. Lam, Anthony Windust, P Grinberg, Benoit Simard, Christopher T. Kingston

Abstract

Several techniques were evaluated for the establishment of reliable water/moisture content of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Karl Fischer titration (KF) provides for a direct measure of the water content and was used for benchmarking against results obtained by conventional oven drying, desiccation over anhydrous magnesium perchlorate as well as by thermogravimetry and prompt gamma-ray activation analysis. Agreement amongst results was satisfactory with the exception of thermogravimetry, although care must be taken with oven drying as it is possible to register mass gain after an initial moisture loss if prolonged drying time or elevated temperatures (120 oC) are used. Thermogravimetric data were precise but a bias was evident that could be accounted for by considering the non-selective loss of mass as volatile carbonaceous components. Simple drying over anhydrous magnesium perchlorate for a minimum period of 8-10 days is recommended if KF is not available for this measurement.

Citation

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Volume

402

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

Single-wall carbon nanotubes, moisture determination, oven drying, desiccator drying, Karl Fischer titration, prompt gamma-ray activation analysis

Citation

Zeisler, R. , Oflaz, R. , Sturgeon, R. , Paul, R. , Lang, B. , Fagan, J. , Lam, J. , , A. , Grinberg, P. , Simard, B. and Kingston, C. (2011), Determination of Moisture Content of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (Accessed April 18, 2024)