Coproducts of carbon nanotube synthesis: Emerging contaminants associated with the nanomaterial revolution

ENVR 187

Desirée L. Plata, dplata@whoi.edu, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering/Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Bldg 48-216, Cambridge, MA 02139, Philip M. Gschwend, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bldg 48-415, Cambridge, MA 02139, and Christopher M. Reddy, creddy@whoi.edu, Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 360 Woods Hole Rd., Woods Hole, MA 02543.
The carbon nanotube (CNT) industry is rapidly expanding, yet by-products of CNT synthesis are almost completely uncharacterized. The low purity of the bulk material suggests that by-products are formed in quantities comparable to CNTs themselves, and the limited efficiency of production suggests that large amounts of carbonaceous by-product or un-reacted feedstock may be released to the atmosphere, posing a threat to air quality and contributing to climate change. To avoid environmental damages from by-products and to optimize the resource use in CNT production, we characterized the elemental composition of commercial CNTs, including catalyst impurities and associated extractable aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, we analyzed the effluent of a representative CNT synthesis. Using a mass-balance approach, we account for formation of organic co-contaminants and estimate the contribution of CNT manufacture as a new source of these chemicals to the environment. We discuss implications for biogeochemical cycling of select trace chemicals (e.g., PAHs).
 

Symposium Honoring Dr. Walter Giger
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Sci-Mix

Division of Environmental Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007