Nanomaterials security on a nanometric budget

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A plastic bucket and a plastic bag contain 5 gallons of carbon nanotubes in a Rice University laboratory, the beginning of the process of safely transferring nanotubes for experimental purposes. The rice lab has published its technique in SN applied sciences. Credit: Barron Research Group / Rice University

With a little practice, it does not take more than 10 minutes, a few bags and a big bucket to keep nanomaterials in their place.

Rice University chemist Andrew Barron's laboratory is working with bulk carbon nanotubes on various projects. Several years ago, members of the laboratory began to fear that nanotubes would escape into the air and have developed a clean and inexpensive method to contain them as they have been transferred from large containers in pots for experimental purposes.

More recently, Barron himself has expressed concern that too few laboratories around the world are using best practices for handling nanomaterials. He decided to share what his rice team had learned.

"There was a series of studies that said that if you want to manipulate nanotubes, you really have to use security protocols," said Barron. "Then I saw a study according to which many laboratories did not use any form of hood or containment system.In the United States, it was really bad and in Asia, it was a good thing. was even worse, but there is a large number of labs that are developing using these materials on a kilogram scale without taking proper precautions. "

The inexpensive method of the laboratory is described in detail in an open access article of the journal Springer Nature. SN applied sciences.

In bulk, carbon nanotubes are foamy and disperse easily if disturbed. The Rice Lab generally stores the tubes in 5-gallon plastic buckets. Just open the lid to send them flying, because of their low density.

A clean container of carbon nanotubes, ready for experiments, is the product of a quick and inexpensive method used in a Rice University laboratory to transfer nanomaterials. The method is the subject of an article in SN applied sciences. Credit: Barron Research Group / Rice University

Varun Shenoy Gangoli, a researcher in Barron's laboratory, and Pavan Raja, a researcher at Rice's Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment Center, developed a method for their own use of protecting the worker and sequestering loose tubes during removal of small amounts of material. use in experiments.

You'll find all the details in the document, but you must ensure that workers wear trousers, long sleeves, lab coats, full protective goggles and face masks, and two pairs of gloves glued to the sleeves. of the lab coat. The improvised glove bag includes a 25 gallon bin with a plastic bag glued to the edge. The unopened storage container is placed inside, then the bin is covered with another transparent trash bag, with small holes cut out at the top for easy access.

After the transfer of the nanotubes, acetone wipes are used to clean the gloves and more and more acetone is sprayed inside the body so that the nanotubes are deposited adhere to the surfaces. These can be recovered and returned to the storage container.

Barron said it had taken time for lab members to learn how to use the protocol effectively, "but they can now get their samples in 5 to 10 minutes." It is certain that other laboratories can and will improve the technique according to their own circumstances. He noted that a Gangoli poster presented at the ninth Guadalupe workshop on the proper handling of carbon nanotubes had been recognized and discussed by the world's leading researchers, highlighting the importance of work for agencies in general.

"When we decided to write about it, we originally wanted to publish it on the Web and hope that someone would read it from time to time," Barron said. "We could not imagine who would publish it, but we learned that a publisher of Springer Nature really wanted to publish such articles.

"I think it's something that people will use," he said. "There is nothing outrageous about it, but it helps everyone, from high schools and colleges that start using nanoparticles to experiments, to small businesses." It was the goal: to provide a process that does not cost thousands of dollars for nanomaterials safely and on a large scale.Finally, publish this work in an open access journal to maximize their reach around the world. "

Gibran Liezer Esquenazi, a former Barron group member at Rice, is co-author of the paper. Barron is professor emeritus of chemistry at Rice and holds the Sêr Cymru Chair in Low Carbon Energy and Environment at the University of Swansea, Wales.

More information:
Varun Shenoy Gangoli et al. Safe handling of low density bulk nanomaterials SN applied sciences (2019). DOI: 10.1007 / s42452-019-0647-5