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PubMed2006

Zirconia-coated graphite adsorption bar micro-extraction combined with ETV-ICP-MS for the determination of trace amounts of Cd, Hg and Pb in environmental and biological samples.

In this work, a new and simple micro-extraction method termed graphite adsorption bar micro-extraction was developed, for the first time, for electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS) determination of trace Cd, Hg and Pb. In this method, the graphite bar was first coated with zirconia and then inserted into the sample solution for extraction. The graphite bar enriched with the analytes was inserted directly into a graphite tube, and subsequently analyzed by ETV-ICP-MS according to an established temperature program. The experimental parameters, which had influence on the extraction and vaporization, were systematically investigated and the optimal experimental conditions were established. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of the method were 0.05, 0.42 and 0.06 pg/ml for Cd, Hg and Pb and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) for 11 replicates at the 0.1 ng/ml level were 7.4, 8.2 and 7.7%, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace Cd, Hg and Pb in environmental and biological samples. The results of the experiments indicate that the method has a high enrichment factor and sample utilization efficiency. Furthermore, the method is fast and environment-friendly.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1989

Comparative effects of inhaled silica or synthetic graphite dusts on rat alveolar cells.

Alterations in population profiles, morphology, and phagocytic activity of lung cells following in vivo exposure of Fischer 344 rats to a single dose of silica, were compared to similar changes following exposure to synthetic graphite. The effect of silica exposure on alveolar macrophage mycocidal activity was also measured. Acute exposure by inhalation to 100 mg/m3 silica dust produced persistent pulmonary inflammation, as well as long-term changes in pulmonary alveolar macrophages (AM) typical of macrophage activation. Both particles were steadily cleared from the lungs; AM from the silica study, as well as from the 100 and 500 mg/m3 graphite studies, contained ingested particles throughout the entire 3 month experimental period. Lavaged pulmonary cells showed no reduction in viability as a result of exposure to either of the dusts. After silica inhalation, the following changes were observed constantly in bronchopulmonary lavage cell samples: increased numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), hypersegmented PMN, binucleated AM, increased AM phagocytic indices and capacities, and increased mycocidal activity. Following inhalation of 1-100 mg/m3 synthetic graphite the above-mentioned effects were not seen. Exposure to 500 mg/m3 graphite produced transient inflammation and AM activation for about 24-48 hr.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1989

[Adhesive strength and bonding behavior in graphite-marked bracket positioning].

During a one-year observation period eleven patients treated with fixed appliances and 164 brackets which had been bonded in pairs, were checked at periodic intervals. Every patient had brackets positioned on the teeth in the first and fourth quadrant without graphite marking and in the second and third quadrant with graphite marking. In a parallel in-vitro study with eight pairs of teeth the above described conditions were applied. These specimens were examined in an universal testing machine in order to determine the magnitude of the shear forces. In the in-vivo as well as in the in-vitro study no statistically significant correlations were revealed between the graphite marking and the durability of adhesion as well as the required shear force of the examined brackets. Utilising light microscopy studies, the penetration of adhesive was determined in relation to the position of the graphite marking in etched enamel; at was harmlessness of the reference medium.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1997

Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a graphite-electrode producing plant: biological monitoring of 1-hydroxypyrene and monohydroxylated metabolites of phenanthrene.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess external and internal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of workers who are employed in a graphite-electrode producing plant. Additionally we wanted to contribute to the question of biological limit values in order to reduce exposure to tolerable levels. METHODS: At five different working places 12 stationary and 16 personal air measurements were carried out to determine the concentrations of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[a, h]anthracene in air. In addition, we investigated the excretion of 1-, 2 + 9-, 3- and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene and of 1-hydroxypyrene in the urine of 67 workers by a very sensitive and practical high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection; 2- and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene could not be separated with our analytical method. RESULTS: During the production of graphite electrodes significantly higher PAH exposures were found in the baking and impregnation area than in the crushing, graphitisation and conditioning area. The results of personal air measurements (mean values of the sum of eight PAHs) are: 29.3 (baking), 23.4 (impregnation), 5.2 (crushing), 1.3 (graphitisation) and 0.4 microgram/m3 (conditioning). Stationary air measurements yielded similar concentrations. Workers employed in the baking and impregnation areas excreted the highest amount of PAH metabolites in urine. The 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations (median) were: 23.4 (baking), 22.0 (impregnation), 9.6 (crushing), 1.8 (graphitisation) and 2.3 micrograms/g creatinine (conditioning). The corresponding concentrations of the sum of monohydroxylated phenanthrene metabolites (median) were: 23.1, 36.0, 10.4, 4.6 and 7.6 micrograms/g creatinine. Within the monohydroxylated phenanthrene metabolites 3-hydroxyphenanthrene predominates with a percentage of 43%. Our results showed that a benzo[a]pyrene concentration in air of 2 micrograms/m3 would lead to 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in urine of 20-74 micrograms/g creatinine. That means that corresponding values in the literature which lie between 4.4 and 6.2 micrograms/g creatinine are due to other conditions of exposure and cannot be applied to graphite-electrode producing plants. CONCLUSIONS: Although to date there are no obligatory biological exposure limits for metabolites of PAHs in urine, it must be concluded that the internal PAH exposure is too high at some work places in this plant, as is generally the case in graphite-electrode producing plants. This is probably caused by skin absorption of PAHs. So for the prevention of health hazards by PAH, internal exposure must be measured using biological monitoring. Although it has not been possible to establish biological exposure limits for PAHs until now, we suggest a reduction in skin contact with these substances and thereafter use of the 90th percentile of the results of biological monitoring as "action levels" for corrective measures.

Air↗
PubMed2004

Direct electron transfer between cytochrome P450scc and gold nanoparticles on screen-printed rhodium-graphite electrodes.

This paper is concerned with an investigation of electron transfer between cytochrome P450scc (CYP11A1) and gold nanoparticles immobilised on rhodium-graphite electrodes. Thin films of gold nanoparticles were deposited onto the rhodium-graphite electrodes by drop casting. Cytochrome P450scc was deposited onto both gold nanoparticle modified and bare rhodium-graphite electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry indicated enhanced activity of the enzyme at the gold nanoparticle modified surface. The role of the nanoparticles in mediating electron transfer to the cytochrome P450scc was verified using ac impedance spectroscopy. Equivalent circuit analysis of the impedance spectra was performed and the values of the individual components estimated. On addition of aliquots of cholesterol to the electrolyte bioelectrocatalytic reduction currents were obtained. The sensitivity of the nanoparticle modified biosensor to cholesterol was 0.13 microA microM-1 in a detection range between 10 and 70 microM of cholesterol. This confirms that gold nanoparticles enhance electron transfer to the P450scc when present on the rhodium-graphite electrodes.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2006

Amperometric determination of hydrazine at manganese hexacyanoferrate modified graphite-wax composite electrode.

Fabrication, characterization and application of a manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) modified graphite-wax composite electrode are described. The MnHCF mixed with graphite powder was dispersed into molten paraffin wax to yield a conductive composite, which was used as electrode material to construct a renewable three-dimensional MnHCF modified electrode. The characterization of the modified electrode has been studied by electrochemical techniques. The cyclic voltammogram of the MnHCF modified graphite-wax composite electrode prepared under optimum composition, showed a well-defined redox couple due to Fe(CN)(6)(4-)/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system. The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine by MnHCF modified graphite-wax composite electrode has been investigated in an attempt to develop a new sensor for its determination. It was found that the mediator catalyzed the oxidation of hydrazine. The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine was also studied under hydrodynamic and chronoamperometric conditions. The anodic current increases linearly with increase in the concentration of hydrazine in the range of 3.33x10(-5)M to 8.18x10(-3)M. The detection limit was found to be 6.65x10(-6)M (S/N=3). The modified electrode can also be used for on-line detection of hydrazine. The proposed method has also been applied for the determination of hydrazine in photographic developer solution.

Electrochemistry↗
PubMed2003

Studies on the electrochemical performance of glucose biosensor based on ferrocene encapsulated ORMOSIL and glucose oxidase modified graphite paste electrode.

The electrochemical performance of a new glucose biosensor is reported. The glucose biosensor is developed using glucose oxidase (GOD) and ferrocene encapsulated palladium (Pd)-linked organically modified sol-gel glass (ORMOSIL) material incorporated within graphite paste electrode. The ORMOSIL material incorporated within graphite paste electrode behaves as an excellent electrocatalyst for the oxidation of enzymatically reduced GOD. The electrochemical behavior of new glucose biosensor has been examined by cyclic volammetry and amperometric measurements. The bioelectrocatalysis of ORMOSIL embedded within graphite paste as a function of storage time and varying concentration of ORMOSIL is reported. The initial amperometric response on glucose sensing is recorded to be 145 microA at 15% (w/w) concentration of the ORMOSIL which is decreased to 20 microA at 5% of the same keeping GOD concentration constant. The variation of electrochemical behavior of the ORMOSIL embedded within graphite paste as a function of time has also been studied based on cyclic voltammetry. The voltammograms showing the reversible electrochemistry of ORMOSIL encapsulated ferrocene is changed into a plateau shape as a function of time, however, the electrocatalytic behavior is still retained. The practical usability of new glucose sensor has been compared with earlier developed glucose sensor. The sensitivity, response time and linearity of the new glucose biosensor are found to be excellent over earlier reported glucose biosensor. The amperometric response, calibration curve and practical applications of new glucose sensor are reported.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2004

Improved detection of hydrophilic phosphopeptides using graphite powder microcolumns and mass spectrometry: evidence for in vivo doubly phosphorylated dynamin I and dynamin III.

A common strategy in proteomics to improve the number and quality of peptides detected by mass spectrometry (MS) is to desalt and concentrate proteolytic digests using reversed phase (RP) chromatography prior to analysis. However, this does not allow for detection of small or hydrophilic peptides, or peptides altered in hydrophilicity such as phosphopeptides. We used microcolumns to compare the ability of RP resin or graphite powder to retain phosphopeptides. A number of standard phosphopeptides and a biologically relevant phosphoprotein, dynamin I, were analyzed. MS revealed that some phosphopeptides did not bind the RP resin but were retained efficiently on the graphite. Those that did bind the RP resin often produced much stronger signals from the graphite powder. In particular, the method revealed a doubly phosphorylated peptide in a tryptic digest of dynamin I purified from rat brain nerve terminals. The detection of this peptide was greatly enhanced by graphite micropurification. Sequencing by tandem MS confirmed the presence of phosphate at both Ser-774 and Ser-778, while a singly phosphorylated peptide was predominantly phosphorylated only on Ser-774. The method further revealed a singly and doubly phosphorylated peptide in dynamin III, analogous to the dynamin I sequence. A pair of dynamin III phosphorylation sites were found at Ser-759 and Ser-763 by tandem MS. The results directly define the in vivo phosphorylation sites in dynamins I and III for the first time. The findings indicate a large improvement in the detection of small amounts of phosphopeptides by MS and the approach has major implications for both small- and large-scale projects in phosphoproteomics.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A mortality cohort study among workers in a graphite electrode production plant in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Graphite electrode manufacturing workers are exposed to coal tar and its volatiles containing a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), silica and graphite dusts, and asbestos. AIMS: To investigate mortality from cancer and other diseases among workers in a graphite electrode production plant in Italy. METHODS: A total of 1291 males actively employed between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1989 who had worked at the plant for at least one year were studied. The follow up extended from 1950 to 1997. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using mortality rates for the Italian and regional male population. RESULTS: Excess mortality was observed for all causes (SMR 1.44, CI 1.32 to 1.56), all cancers (SMR 1.27, CI 1.07 to 1.50), liver cancer (SMR 4.19, CI 2.68 to 6.23), silicosis (SMR 66.39, CI 52.56 to 82.7), and cirrhosis and other chronic diseases of the liver (SMR 1.87, CI 1.31 to 2.59) in comparison with the national male population. When regional rates were used to calculate the number of expected deaths, SMRs remained higher for silicosis (SMR 57.32, 42.11 to 76.22), and liver cancer (SMR 2.57, 1.57 to 3.97). Mortality from silicosis was increased in workers hired at young ages (<25 years, SMR 81.79; 25-34 years, SMR 82.73), and in workers aged <45 at death (SMR 333.3, CI 159.8 to 613). Mortality from liver cancer increased threefold (SMR 3.11, CI 1.78 to 5.05) in workers with more than 10 years of employment at the plant during the manufacture of Karbate products. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the association between excess mortality from silicosis and occupational exposure to siliceous sands experienced during graphite electrode manufacturing. The observed excess mortality from liver cancer is compatible, to some extent, with exposures that may have occurred during the manufacture of phenolic and furfuryl resins treated products, although a role of lifestyle factors and viral infections cannot be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a coke production and a graphite electrode manufacturing plant: assessment of urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene as a biological indicator of exposure.

OBJECTIVES: Characterisation of the airborne concentration of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at various workplaces in a graphite electrode and a coke production plant. Validation of the urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (hydroxypyrene) as a biological marker of exposure to PAH. DESIGN: Cross sectional study of workers exposed to PAHs (106 in the graphite electrode producing plant and 16 in the coke works). METHODS: Personal air sampling during at least six hours per workshift using a glass fibre filter and a Chromosorb 102 solid sorbent tube and analysis of PAHs by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrofluorometric detection (SFD). Collection of spot urine samples before and after the shift and analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene by HPLC and SFD. RESULTS: The workers most exposed to PAHs were those occupied at the topside area of the coke oven plant and those working in the blending and impregnation areas of the graphite electrode producing plant (mean airborne concentration of total PAHs: 199 and 223 micrograms/m3 respectively). Except for naphthalene and perylene, the relative proportion of the different PAHs did not differ between the plants. Pyrene concentration in air was highly correlated with the total airborne PAH concentration (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) and the correlation coefficients between hydroxypyrene concentration in postshift urine samples and pyrene or total PAHs in air were 0.67 (p < 0.0001) and 0.72 (p < 0.0001) respectively. Excretion of hydroxypyrene doubled when the exposure to pyrene in air increased 10-fold. The half life for the urinary excretion of hydroxypyrene was around 18 hours (95% confidence interval 16.1-19.8). Smoking habits only explained 2.3% of the variance in hydroxypyrene excretion compared with 45% for the pyrene concentration in air. CONCLUSION: The determination of the urinary excretion of hydroxypyrene in postshift urine samples can be used as a suitable biomarker to assess individual exposure to PAHs in coke ovens and in graphite electrode manufacturing plants.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Rheological behavior of carbon nanotube and graphite nanoparticle dispersions.

Dispersions containing nanoparticles (nanofluids) are mixtures with unique properties, and their transport properties depend on the three-dimensional network or microstructure of the nanoparticles, which can be affected by various factors including shear stress, particle loading, and temperature. In this research, we studied the rheological behaviors of dispersions containing two different carbon morphologies: multiwalled carbon nanotubes (rodlike nanoparticles with L/D = 30), and graphite particles (disklike nanoparticles with L/D = 0.025). All nanofluids showed shear thinning behavior in steady shear measurements and those containing nanotubes had lower power law indices than graphite dispersions. Shear stress broke down the microstructure network and oriented both rodlike and disklike nanoparticles in the dispersions. The presence of a modest amount of nanotubes in the graphite nanofluid affected the microstructure of the dispersion and caused a remarkable decrease in its power law index. Microstructures of nanofluids strongly depended on the dispersant chemistry used to stabilize the particles, and high temperature may cause dispersant failure. Mechanical methods for dispersing the particles affected the geometry of the nanoparticles and therefore the rheological properties of the nanofluids. In the creep recovery tests, the compliance of graphite nanofluids quickly returned to zero when the stress was removed, while nanotube dispersion with high nanotube loading showed an elastic response during recovery. These results suggest that the microstructure in the dispersions is affected by nanoparticle morphology, dispersant chemistry, and shear stress.

Carbon↗
PubMed2006

Formation of SWCnts in arc plasma: effect of graphitization of Fe-doped anode and optical emission studies.

Fe-doped (ca. 1 at%) homogeneous graphite electrodes (with different graphite microcrystallites, degree of graphitization and, thereby, electrical conductivities) were used to produce single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in Ar/Kr/Xe-H2 arc plasma under pressure equal to 26 kPa. The use of electrode with the smaller primary particle size (about 5 nm) comparing to the well-graphitized electrode (25 nm) drastically increased the yield of SWCNTs in Ar-H2 arc plasma, while plasma parameters (temperature, C2 content, and namely carbon vapor pressure) remained on similar levels. However, the use of electrodes with larger grain size (25 nm) can lead to SWCNTs growth when they are arc ablated under the presence of Kr (or Xe)-H2 gas mixture. Thus, the mechanism of CNT formation seems to be more complex that the one involving only simple carbon species (e.g., C2).

Crystallization↗
PubMed2003

Determination of titanium by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with the use of fluoride modifiers.

A method for the determination of titanium in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with slurry sampling was developed. Titanium forms thermally stable carbides in the graphite tube that leads to decreased sensitivity and severe memory effects. Various fluorinating agents, BaF(2), NH(4)F, and CHF(3) (Freon-23) were therefore examined in order to reduce or eliminate these problems. Ti was determined, at various concentration levels, in certified reference materials (CRMs) using ultrasonic slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (USS-GFAAS). The three CRMs, GBW 07601 (Human Hair Powder), GBW 07602 (Bush Branches and Leaves), and GBW 07411 (Chinese Soil), contained 2.7 microg g(-1), 95 microg g(-1), and 0.41% Ti, respectively. For comparison, determinations of Ti were made with modifiers (BaF(2) and NH(4)F) and without modifier, using 5% CHF(3) (in argon) for cleaning the graphite furnace. Good accuracy was obtained using aqueous Ti standards for calibration. A homogeneity study showed that Ti was evenly distributed in all the samples at the mg-microg level. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) obtained for the three CRMs were 16%, 11%, and 8% ( n=30). In spite of the wide range of Ti concentrations in the present samples, the same wavelength (365.4 nm) could be used for analysis by varying the slurry sample concentration. The precision was best for the material with the highest titanium content in spite of the fact that only 3 microg of sample was introduced into the furnace.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Gas sensing using edge-plane pyrolytic-graphite electrodes: electrochemical reduction of chlorine.

The voltammetric responses of chlorine in aqueous acid solutions have been explored using different carbon-based electrodes. Edge-plane pyrolytic graphite has more electrochemical reversibility than glassy carbon, basal-plane pyrolytic graphite, or boron-doped diamond electrodes. A significant reduction in the over-potential is observed on the edge-plane pyrolytic-graphite electrode in contrast with the other carbon-based electrode substrates. These results suggest that edge-plane pyrolytic graphite can be optimally used as the working electrodes in Clark-cell devices for low-potential amperometric gas sensing of Cl2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Adsorption of argon on homogeneous graphitized thermal carbon black and heterogeneous carbon surface.

In this paper we investigate the effects of surface mediation on the adsorption behavior of argon at different temperatures on homogeneous graphitized thermal carbon black and on heterogeneous nongraphitized carbon black surface. The grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulation is used to study the adsorption, and its performance is tested against a number of experimental data on graphitized thermal carbon black (which is known to be highly homogeneous) that are available in the literature. The surface-mediation effect is shown to be essential in the correct description of the adsorption isotherm because without accounting for that effect the GCMC simulation results are always greater than the experimental data in the region where the monolayer is being completed. This is due to the overestimation of the fluid-fluid interaction between particles in the first layer close to the solid surface. It is the surface mediation that reduces this fluid-fluid interaction in the adsorbed layers, and therefore the GCMC simulation results accounting for this surface mediation that are presented in this paper result in a better description of the data. This surface mediation having been determined, the surface excess of argon on heterogeneous carbon surfaces having solid-fluid interaction energies different from the graphite can be readily obtained. Since the real heterogeneous carbon surface is not the same as the homogeneous graphite surface, it can be described by an area distribution in terms of the well depth of the solid-fluid energy. Assuming a patchwise topology of the surface with patches of uniform well depth of solid-fluid interaction, the adsorption on a real carbon surface can be determined as an integral of the local surface excess of each patch with respect to the differential area. When this is matched against the experimental data of a carbon surface, we can derive the area distribution versus energy and hence the geometrical surface area. This new approach will be illustrated with the adsorption of argon on a nongraphitized carbon at 87.3 and 77 K, and it is found that the GCMC surface area is different from the BET surface area by about 7%. Furthermore, the description of the isotherm in the region of BET validity of 0.06 to 0.2 is much better with our method than with the BET equation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Electrochemiluminescence of luminol in alkaline solution at a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode.

The behavior of luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) at a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) at different applied potentials was studied. Five ECL peaks were observed at 0.31, 0.59, 1.09, 1.54, and -0.58 V versus SCE, respectively, being related to potential scan direction and ranges, N2, O2, pH of the solution, and KCl concentration. The emission spectra of various ECL peaks at different potentials showed that all ECL peaks were initiated by luminol reactions. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that a simple mixture was formed between graphite and paraffin. The fluorescence spectra on the surface of the PIGE suggested that certain groups on the graphite were oxidized when the positive potential was applied to the electrode. In the presence of O2, three main ECL peaks were obtained in 0.1 mol/L KCl at pH 12.2. The ECL peak at 0.59 V with a shoulder is likely due to the reaction of luminol radicals with O2 and further electrooxidation of luminol radicals. The ECL peak at 1.54 V was suggested to be due to the electrooxidation of OH- to HO2- at higher potential and then to O2-, which reacted with luminol to produce light emission. Moreover, the oxygen-containing functional groups formed by the oxidation of the surface of the graphite electrode might enhance the ECL. At -0.58 V, the dissolved oxygen in solution was reduced to HO2-, resulting in light emission. At a potential higher than 1.64 V, ClO- was formed, leading to a broad emission wave and enhancement of the ECL peak at -0.58 V upon the reversal scan. Under nitrogen atmosphere, an ECL peak appeared at 1.09 V. At this potential, OH- was oxidized to O2, followed by the reaction with luminol to generate light emission. At pH 13.2 or 0.5 mol/L KCl, the shoulder of the ECL peak at 0.59 V became an ECL peak at 0.31 V. The conversion of luminol radicals into excited 3-aminophthalate may undergo two routes. Under these conditions, two routes might proceed at a different rate to form another ECL peak. It is concluded that luminol ECL could be readily excited by various oxygen-containing species electrogenerated at different applied potentials. Three strong ECL peaks obtained at different potentials on the PIGE might be of a potential to improve analytical selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of some analytes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Simulation of water cluster assembly on a graphite surface.

The assembly of small water clusters (H2O)n, n = 1-6, on a graphite surface is studied using a density functional tight-binding method complemented with an empirical van der Waals force correction, with confirmation using second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory. It is shown that the optimized geometry of the water hexamer may change its original structure to an isoenergy one when interacting with a graphite surface in some specific orientation, while the smaller water cluster will maintain its cyclic or linear configurations (for the water dimer). The binding energy of water clusters interacting with graphite is dependent on the number of water molecules that form hydrogen bonds, but is independent of the water cluster size. These physically adsorbed water clusters show little change in their IR peak position and leave an almost perfect graphite surface.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Micrometer-sized graphitic balls produced together with single-wall carbon nanohorns.

We present in this report a new type of particles with micrometer-order sizes, which we called giant graphitic balls (GG balls). The GG balls are produced by CO2 laser ablation of graphite together with single-wall carbon nanohorns. They have graphitic structures whose layers tend to align parallel with the GG-ball surfaces, resulting in polygonal-like arrangements. Comparing the GG-ball structure with that of the previously reported polygonal graphite-particles, the growth mechanism of the GG ball is discussed briefly.

Journal Article↗