Direct determination of bioavailable molybdenum in carbon nanotubes

Bioavailable residual metallic impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are responsible for the toxicity of CNTs. Herein we present a method for fast, sensitive determination of bioavailable molybdenum residual catalyst impurities within CNTs by using electrochemical oxidation in neutral pH buffers at low potentials. This method is unique because no other method can rapidly distinguish between bioavailable/mobilizable impurities from defects in CNTs and between the total amounts of impurities. This method will be indispensable for future toxicological studies of CNTs.     

Bioavailability of metallic impurities in carbon nanotubes is greatly enhanced by ultrasonication

Metallic impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered as the main cause of their toxicity. Ultrasonication is a common procedure used to purify and obtain homogeneous dispersions of CNTs as well as to mix them with other components for further processing into composites. Herein, the influence of ultrasonication upon the bioavailability of metallic impurities in CNTs was investigated. We showed that even ultrasonication times as short as 5?min significantly enhanced the bioavailability of metallic impurities, which can therefore interact more actively with biologically important molecules. These findings will have profound impact on the processing of CNTs as well as on nanotoxicity studies.     

Impurities within carbon nanotubes govern the electrochemical oxidation of substituted hydrazines

Electrochemistry and electrocatalysis on carbon nanomaterials is at the forefront of research. The presence of carbonaceous and metallic impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a persistent problem. Here we show that the electrochemistry of the entire group of hydrazine compounds is governed by impurities within single-walled, double-walled and few-walled CNTs. The oxidation of organic substituted hydrazines at CNTs is driven by nanographitic impurities, in contrast to unsubstituted hydrazine, for which the electrochemistry is driven by metallic impurities within CNTs. This finding is unexpected, as one would assume that a whole group of compounds would be susceptible to "electrocatalysis" by only one type of impurity. This discovery should be taken into account when predicting the susceptibility of whole groups of compounds to electrocatalysis by metallic or nanographitic impurities. Our findings have strong implications on the electrochemical sensing of hydrazines and on the use of hydrazines as fuels for nanomotors.     

处理方法对多壁碳纳米管结构及负载Ru催化剂氨分解反应活性的影响

分别用H2O2、强碱（NaOH、KOH）和HNO3处理CNTs。以处理后的CNTs为载体、通过浸渍RuCl3水溶液结合高温H2还原制备Ru/CNTs催化剂,并将其应用在氨分解催化反应中。利用XRD、TPR、TPD-MS表征手段研究了Ru在CNTs表面的分散、还原性能及CNTs表面化学基团,探究催化剂结构-性能间构效关系。结果表明,强碱及双氧水处理CNTs,为其表面引入了数量适宜的羧基、酸酐、酚等官能团,而传统硝酸处理则引入了大量的羧基、酸酐、酯、内酯、酚、醌和羰基等官能团,对CNTs本征结构性质影响很大。经强碱及双氧水处理CNTs上负载Ru后所得催化剂的效果明显优于传统硝酸处理CNTs上负载Ru催化剂。本研究为CNTs的新型处理方法、表面化学官能团分析、提高Ru/CNTs催化分解氨活性提供了新的思路。     

Direct Voltammetric Determination of Redox‐Active Iron in Carbon Nanotubes

With the advances in nanotechnology over the past decade, consumer products are increasingly being incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As the harmful effects of CNTs are suggested to be primarily due to the bioavailable amounts of metallic impurities, it is vital to detect and quantify these species using sensitive and facile methods. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the possibility of quantifying the amount of redox‐available iron‐containing impurities in CNTs with voltammetric techniques such as cyclic voltammetry. We examined the electrochemistry of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in phosphate buffer solution and discovered that its electrochemical behavior could be affected by pH of the electrolyte. By utilizing the unique redox reaction between the iron and phosphate species, the redox available iron content in CNTs was determined successfully using voltammetry.     

处理方法对多壁碳纳米管结构及负载Ru催化剂氨分解反应活性的影响

分别用H_2O_2、强碱(NaOH、 KOH)和强酸HNO_3处理CNTs.以处理后的CNTs为载体、通过浸渍RuCl_3水溶液结合高温H_2还原制备Ru/CNTs催化剂,并将其应用在氨分解催化反应中.利用XRD、 TPR、 TPD-MS表征手段研究了Ru在CNTs表面的分散、还原性能及CNTs表面化学基团,探究催化剂结构-性能间构效关系.结果表明,强碱及双氧水处理CNTs,为其表面引入了数量适宜的羧基、酸酐、酚等官能团,而传统硝酸处理则引入了大量的羧基、酸酐、酯、内酯、酚、醌和羰基等官能团,对CNTs本征结构性质影响很大.经强碱及双氧水处理CNTs上负载Ru后所得催化剂的效果明显优于传统硝酸处理CNTs上负载Ru催化剂.我们发展的CNTs的新型处理方法为研制高活性Ru/CNTs催化分解氨催化剂提供了新的思路.     

Nanographite impurities in carbon nanotubes: their influence on the oxidation of insulin, nitric oxide, and extracellular thiols

There has been growing interest in the use of modified-carbon-nanotube electrodes in applications such as the electrochemical detection of biologically significant compounds, owing to their apparent "electrocatalytic" properties and ability to enhance oxidative signals. In spite of their salient properties, little work has been done to further examine the reasons for these reported characteristics. In this report, we present clear evidence that the presence of nanographite impurities within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is responsible for providing the previously reported enhanced electrochemical response. We have demonstrated this effect on homocysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, nitric oxide, and insulin, which are important biological agents in the body. Moreover, we also showed that the influence of nanographite impurities on the electrochemistry of carbon nanotubes is prevalent among a variety of CNTs, such as single-walled CNTs, double-walled CNTs, and few-walled CNTs. Our findings will have a profound influence upon the biomedical applications of CNTs.     

Signal transducers and enzyme cofactors are susceptible to oxidation by nanographite impurities in carbon nanotube materials

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often employed in biofuel cells, artificial photosystems and bioelectronics in order to enhance electron transfer and to efficiently shuttle electrons between redox active molecules and the electrode surface. However, it should be noted that typical CNTs are highly heterogeneous materials, containing large amounts of impurities. Herein, we report the influence of nanographite impurities contained within CNTs upon the redox properties of signal transducers and enzyme cofactors that are vital for the functioning of biofuel cells, artificial leaves and bioelectronics as well as for the survival of living organisms. We investigate the susceptibility of tyrosine and tryptophan, amino acids involved in electron transfer and biorecognition reactions as well in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, in addition we also consider the susceptibility of the principal electron carrier β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. We conclude that nanographite impurities within CNTs are responsible for the "electrocatalytic" oxidation of NADH and two amino acids involved in signal transduction, tyrosine and tryptophan. Our findings are of high importance for both industrial and biomedical applications.     

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition Using Hydrogen Storage Alloy as A Catalyst

Carbon nanotubes, which was discovered by Iijima1 in 1991, is the most typical one-dimensional nano-material with the micrometers order in length and nanometers order in diameter. CNTs are composed of graphitic sheets rolled into closed concentric cylinders, and classed into single wall nanotubes and multi-wall nanotubes. CNTs can offer many significant advantages over most existing materials. Since its discovery, unprecedented interest has been stimulated because of its significance both in…     

In-site observation of the crystallization of nylon-6 mediated by the interfacial hydrogen bonds

Hydrogen bonds exist in many polymer systems and play a large role in the physical and chemical properties. In this study, nylon-6, which consists of repeated amide groups and contains large number of hydrogen bonds, is chosen as an example. Meanwhile, the oxidized unzipped MWCNTs (μCNTs) with oxygenated species such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are used as mediator to regulate the crystallization process of nylon-6 thin films. In-site experimental techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and polarized optical microscopy were utilized to get more direct insights on the crystallization mechanism of nylon-6 and μCNTs systems.     

Metallization of solid hydrogen: the challenge and possible solutions

The search for the means to convert molecular hydrogen to a metal under static conditions at high pressure is reviewed with emphasis on selected recent developments in both experimental studies and theoretical approaches. One approach suggested recently makes use of mixtures of hydrogen and suitable impurities. In these materials hydrogen is perturbed by impurities with the goal of obtaining the metallization of hydrogen at moderate pressures. This approach has also been extensively examined through the use of first-principles methods and we review this recently explored experimental approach and several theoretical studies that have provided an atomic-scale picture of the interaction of hydrogen with impurities under pressure. The objective of this novel approach is to help determine if metallization of hydrogen at pressures is attainable with currently available experimental techniques.     

Hydrogen bond dynamics and microscopic structure of confined water inside carbon nanotubes

We have investigated the density and temperature dependences of microscopic structure and hydrogen bond dynamics of water inside carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using molecular dynamics simulation. The CNTs are treated as rigid, and smoothly truncated extended simple point charge water model is adopted. The results show that as the overall density increases, the atomic density profiles of water inside CNTs become sharper, the peaks shift closer to the wall, and a new peak of hydrogen atomic density appears between the first (outermost) and second layer. The intermittent hydrogen bond correlation function C(HB)(t) of water inside CNTs decays slower than that of bulk water, and the rate of decay decreases as the tube diameter decreases. C(HB)(t) clearly decays more slowly for the first layer of water than for other regions inside CNTs. The C(HB)(t) of the interlayer hydrogen bonds decays faster than those of the other regions and even faster than that of the bulk water. On the other hand, the hydrogen bond lifetimes of the first layer are shorter than those of the inner layer(s). Interlayer hydrogen bond lifetimes are clearly shorter than those of the constituent layers. As a whole, the hydrogen bond lifetimes of water inside CNTs are shorter than those of bulk water, while the relaxation of C(HB)(t) is slower for the confined water than for bulk water. In other words, hydrogen bonds of water inside CNTs break more easily than those of bulk water, but the water molecules remain in each other's vicinity and can easily reform the bonds.     

Oxidized carbon nanotubes as matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules

Oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which can form a stable homogeneous suspension in water close to a solution phase, were synthesized and used for matrix-assisted desorption/ionization mass spectrometric (MALDI-MS) analysis of biomolecules. Infrared (IR) spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analysis were used for the characterization of the oxidized CNTs. The results indicate that the physical structure of the CNTs was not damaged, but carboxylate groups were introduced onto the surface of the CNTs. In addition, impurities including amorphous carbon, which is one of the main reasons for ion source contamination, were destroyed by the oxidization. The carboxyl groups on the oxidized surface of the CNTs can not only provide an additional proton source, but can also increase the surface polarity and solubility of the CNTs, making it easier to manipulate which is important for MALDI analysis of some biomolecules, especially larger peptides and proteins. The oxidized CNTs were successfully applied to the analysis of neutral oligosaccharides, peptides, and insulin, and thus promise to be an efficient matrix for MALDI-MS analysis of biomolecules.     

The Significant Role of Carboxylated Carbonaceous Fragments in the Electrochemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely employed as electrode materials in diverse branches of electrochemistry, which are claimed to display dramatically improved electrochemical behaviour compared to the conventional carbon materials. But a series of recent publications have demonstrated that the electrocatalysis of CNTs might be due to the presence of some impurities, such as metallic catalysts, nanographitic particles and amorphous carbon. For this reason, CNTs are usually purified or treated with nitric acid or nitric and sulphuric acid prior to their versatile applications. However, the strong acidic and oxidative conditions are so aggressive that serious erosion of the tube structures has inevitably taken place, which creates defects on the sidewalls and gives rise to numerous molecular byproducts, commonly referred as carboxylated carbonaceous fragments (CCFs). The adsorption of CCFs on CNTs greatly alters the surface conditions of CNTs which may significantly impact on their electrochemical properties. To this end, we wish to disclose whether the electrocatalysis of the nitric acid purified CNTs is affected by the adsorption of the CCFs. Ascorbic acid (AA) and β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as selected as the targeting benchmarks that are known to be insensitive to the presence of metallic impurities, which may guarantee the preclusion of the promoting contributions from the metallic catalysts resident in CNTs. We have demonstrated that the electrocatalytic activities of the CNTs are actually dominated by the adsorbed CCFs generated during the acidic pre‐treatment. After removal of the CCFs by base rinse, the electrocatalytic properties of CNTs are greatly deteriorated and degraded to the level similar to the conventional graphite powder. We believe this finding is particularly meaningful to uncover the mysterious electrocatalysis of CNTs.     

储氢合金抗气体杂质毒化的研究进展

本文综述了氢气中的不同杂质气体对储氢合金吸放氢性能的影响。主要评价了LaNi4.7Al0.3、LaNi5、Fe-Ti、ZrCr2-xFex、Ti(Fe,Mn)等合金及它们的氢化物被CO、CO2、H2S等气体毒化的情况,并通过分析目前提升储氢合金抗毒化能力的主要方法及其使用效果,总结了合金抗毒化研究进展,为今后的发展提出了一些新思路。     

氮气热处理对CNTs-LaNi5电极电化学性能的影响

研究了碳纳米管(CNTs)氮气热处理后结构的变化, 以及热处理温度对CNTs-LaNi5电极电化学性能的影响. CNTs热处理后, 管壁变薄, 层数变少, 管的外径减小, 更有利于氢气的吸附和脱附. 将碳纳米管与LaNi5储氢合金按质量比1:10混合, 制作成CNTs-LaNi5电极. 800 ℃时CNTs-LaNi5电极的储氢性能最好, 最大容量为519.1 mAh•g-1, 相应的平台电压高达1.19 V. 在500～600 ℃范围内, 随着温度升高, 放电容量有较大幅度的增加; 在600～800 ℃范围内, 随着温度升高, 放电容量有较小幅度的增加; 但到900 ℃时, 放电容量反而下降. 由此可见, CNTs的热处理温度对CNTs-LaNi5电极的电化学储氢性能有着较大的影响. 纯LaNi5电极的放电容量仅为265.6 mAh•g-1, 平台电压仅为0.83 V. 添加了碳纳米管的CNTs-LaNi5电极的电化学活性高于纯LaNi5电极.     

Gas chromatographic analysis of trace gas impurities in tungsten hexafluoride

Highly reactive fluorinated gaseous matrices require special equipment and techniques for the gas chromatographic analysis of trace impurities in these gases. The impurities that were analysed at the low-microg/l levels included oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur hexafluoride and hydrogen. This paper describes the use of a system utilising backflush column switching to protect the columns and detectors in the analysis of trace gas impurities in tungsten hexafluoride. Two separate channels were used for the analysis of H2, O2, N2, CO, CO2 and SF6 impurities with pulsed discharge helium ionisation detection.     

Redox-active nickel in carbon nanotubes and its direct determination

The presence of residual metal-catalyst impurities in carbon nanotubes is responsible for their toxicity. It is important to differentiate between the total amount of impurities and the redox-active (bioavailable) amount of such impurities because only the bioavailable impurities exhibit toxic effects. Herein, we report a simple and specific method for quantifying the amount of redox-active Ni present in various commercial samples of CNTs. It is based on the electrochemical oxidation of Ni(OH)(2) that is formed in alkaline solutions when Ni impurities are opened to the surrounding environment. Metallic Ni impurities play an extremely active role in toxicological assays as well as in undesired catalytic processes, and thus a method to rapidly quantify the amount of redox-active Ni is of great importance.     

Redox‐Active Nickel in Carbon Nanotubes and Its Direct Determination

The presence of residual metal‐catalyst impurities in carbon nanotubes is responsible for their toxicity. It is important to differentiate between the total amount of impurities and the redox‐active (bioavailable) amount of such impurities because only the bioavailable impurities exhibit toxic effects. Herein, we report a simple and specific method for quantifying the amount of redox‐active Ni present in various commercial samples of CNTs. It is based on the electrochemical oxidation of Ni(OH)₂ that is formed in alkaline solutions when Ni impurities are opened to the surrounding environment. Metallic Ni impurities play an extremely active role in toxicological assays as well as in undesired catalytic processes, and thus a method to rapidly quantify the amount of redox‐active Ni is of great importance.     

Flow structure of water in carbon nanotubes: poiseuille type or plug-like?

We have conducted molecular dynamics simulations of water flow in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for (6,6) to (20,20) CNTs at a streaming velocity of 100 ms. The fluidized piston model (FPM) and the ice piston model (IPM) are employed to drive flow through the CNTs. The results show that the single-file water flow inside (6,6) CNT has a convex upward streaming velocity profile, whereas the velocity profiles in (10,10) to (20,20) CNTs are flat except near the tube wall. The flow structure of cylindrical water in the (8,8) CNT is intermediate between that for the (6,6) CNT and the larger CNTs. The flow parameters are found not to exhibit any dependence on streaming velocity at up to 300 ms in the (12,12) CNT. The hydrogen bond lifetimes of water flowing in CNTs tend to be longer than for the corresponding equilibrium states, and nonzero flow does not reduce the microscopic structure or structural robustness (hydrogen bond lifetime). Although the atomic density profile varies with tube diameter, reflecting the change in static microscopic structure of flow from single file to cylindrical, tube diameter does not induce a clear transition in streaming velocity, temperature, or hydrogen bond lifetime over this diameter range. The results suggest that water flow in CNTs of this size is more pluglike than Poiseuille type, although the flow structure does not strictly accord with either definition.