Monitoring method for carbon nanotubes (CNT): Personal sampler and corresponding reading device

At present, CNT and other nanofiber materials in air can only be detected by deposition on a substrate and the use of off-line imaging analysis such as scanning electron microscopy. The majority of techniques suitable for the quasi- real-time measurement of engineered nanoparticles such as electrical low pressure impactor, condensation particle counter, optionally combined with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) can not distinguish between nanoparticles in general and airborne nanofibres in particular. In common workplace settings the considerable background of fine and ultrafine particles thus poses a challenge for these instruments. Furthermore, a true portability of the present devices is not given due to their size and power consumption. However, there is an urgent need due to the expected toxicity of nanofibres to control workplace environments with a robust and mobile device to ensure the safety of the working personnel as soon as possible. To meet these challenges, a suitable personal sampler together with a corresponding reading device is under development in the NANODEVICE-project, funded by the European Commission under grant agreement FP7-211464-2. A pre-prototype personal sampler for CNT sampling, the used Raman-spectroscopic inspection of deposited CNTs and a possible approach in determining the qualitative presence of CNTs will be shown. Additionally, it seems even possible to distinguish between carbon nanofibers from different manufacturers based on Raman spectroscopy and data analysis.