AAAR 33rd Annual Conference
October 20 - October 24, 2014
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida, USA
Abstract View
MWCNTs Dispersion and Aerosolization Using EAAA (Electro-static Assist Axial Atomizer)
GUN-HO LEE, Hong-Ku Lee, Hee-Ram Eun, Yong-Hee Park, In-Kyu Hwang, Chi-Young Choi, Jin-Kwon Kim, Ellen Kim, Il Je Yu, Kang-Ho Ahn, Hanyang University, R. of Korea
Abstract Number: 172 Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods
Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the nanomaterials that were discovered by Iijima in 1991 for the first time. They have long cylindrical and axi-symmetric structures and are made by rolling graphene sheets. Due to their large length-to-diameter ratio, they are called nanotubes. CNTs are categorized as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on the shell structures. CNTs are broadly used in various fields, such as scanning probe microscopy, ultra fine nano balance and medicine, due to their extraordinary thermal conductivity, electrical and mechanical properties. Because long, straight CNTs have the same shape as asbestos, which cause cancer in cells lining the lung, there have been many studies on the effects of MWCNTs on human health that have been conducted. Stable atomization of CNTs is very important for the estimation of inhalation toxicity. In the present study, electro-static assisted axial atomizer (EAAA), which is the instrument that uses MWCNTs and aerosolizes them by transforming the single fiber shape using ultrasonic dispersion and electric field, was invented. EAAA consists of a ultrasonic bath for dispersion of MWCNTs and a particle generator for atomizing single fibers. The performance evaluation was conducted in order to assess the possibilities of a 6-hour straight atomization with stability, which is the suggested exposure time in a day for the estimation of inhalation toxicity.