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Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Schierz, A; Parks, AN; Washburn, KM; Chandler, GT; Ferguson, PL
Published in: Environmental science & technology
November 2012

Near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) spectroscopy is capable of sensitive and selective detection of semiconductive, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) using the unique electronic bandgap properties of these carbon allotropes. We reported here the first detection and quantitation of SWNT in sediment and biota at environmentally relevant concentrations using NIRF spectroscopy. In addition, we utilized this technique to qualitatively characterize SWNT samples before and after ecotoxicity, bioavailability and fate studies in the aquatic environment. Sample preparation prior to NIRF analysis consisted of surfactant-assisted high power ultrasonication. The bile salt sodium deoxycholate (SDC) enabled efficient extraction and disaggregation of SWNT prior to NIRF analysis. The method was validated using standard-addition experiments in two types of estuarine sediments, yielding recoveries between 66 ± 7% and 103 ± 10% depending on SWNT type and coating used, demonstrating the ability to isolate SWNT from complex sediment matrices. Instrument detection limits were determined to be 15 ng mL(-1) SWNT in 2% SDC solution and method detection limits (including a concentration step) were 62 ng g(-1) for estuarine sediment, and 1.0 μg L(-1) for water. Our work has shown that NIRF spectroscopy is highly sensitive and selective for SWNT and that this technique can be applied to track the environmental and biological fate of this important class of carbon nanomaterial in the aquatic environment.

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Published In

Environmental science & technology

DOI

EISSN

1520-5851

ISSN

0013-936X

Publication Date

November 2012

Volume

46

Issue

22

Start / End Page

12262 / 12271

Related Subject Headings

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • South Carolina
  • Sonication
  • Semiconductors
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

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Schierz, A., Parks, A. N., Washburn, K. M., Chandler, G. T., & Ferguson, P. L. (2012). Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy. Environmental Science & Technology, 46(22), 12262–12271. https://doi.org/10.1021/es301856a
Schierz, Ariette, Ashley N. Parks, Kathryn M. Washburn, G Thomas Chandler, and P Lee Ferguson. “Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy.Environmental Science & Technology 46, no. 22 (November 2012): 12262–71. https://doi.org/10.1021/es301856a.
Schierz A, Parks AN, Washburn KM, Chandler GT, Ferguson PL. Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy. Environmental science & technology. 2012 Nov;46(22):12262–71.
Schierz, Ariette, et al. “Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy.Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 46, no. 22, Nov. 2012, pp. 12262–71. Epmc, doi:10.1021/es301856a.
Schierz A, Parks AN, Washburn KM, Chandler GT, Ferguson PL. Characterization and quantitative analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the aquatic environment using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy. Environmental science & technology. 2012 Nov;46(22):12262–12271.
Journal cover image

Published In

Environmental science & technology

DOI

EISSN

1520-5851

ISSN

0013-936X

Publication Date

November 2012

Volume

46

Issue

22

Start / End Page

12262 / 12271

Related Subject Headings

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • South Carolina
  • Sonication
  • Semiconductors
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Environmental Sciences