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Morphology, chemical composition and nanostructure of single carbon-rich particles studied by transmission electron microscopy: source apportionment in workroom air of aluminium smelters

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Abstract

Sources of C-rich particles at work places in two aluminium smelters in Norway were studied by transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Based on morphology, nanostructure and chemistry, three different types of C-rich particles are distinguished: (a) chain-like agglomerates (70–100 % by number, relative to the sum of C-rich particles) consisting of primary particles with typical onion-shell structure of graphene layers, (b) multi-walled carbon nanotube particles (≈3 %) and (c) spheres or agglomerates of amorphous C-rich particles (0–30 %). Chain-like agglomerates are interpreted as diesel soot in accordance with literature data on primary particle diameter, chemical composition and nanostructure of primary particles. The source of the observed multi-walled carbon nanotubes is not known. The amorphous C-rich particles most likely consist of organic carbon species which cannot be characterized further by X-ray microanalysis. Unaltered graphitic electrode material was not found among the C-rich particles. The high fraction of diesel soot particles indicates that elemental carbon is generally suited as proxy for diesel soot in aluminium smelters. However, due to the presence of carbon nanotubes and amorphous C-rich particles, detailed characterization of sources of carbon-rich particles by electron microscopy is recommended for accurate assessment of adverse health effects.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support by the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise Working Environment Fund is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Geosciences, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 9, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Stephan Weinbruch, Nathalie Benker, Konrad Kandler & Martin Ebert

  2. National Institute of Occupational Health, Gydas vei 8, PO Box 8149 Dep, 0033, Oslo, Norway

    Stephan Weinbruch, Dag G. Ellingsen, Balázs Berlinger & Yngvar Thomassen

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  1. Stephan Weinbruch
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  2. Nathalie Benker
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Correspondence to Stephan Weinbruch.

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Weinbruch, S., Benker, N., Kandler, K. et al. Morphology, chemical composition and nanostructure of single carbon-rich particles studied by transmission electron microscopy: source apportionment in workroom air of aluminium smelters. Anal Bioanal Chem 408, 1151–1158 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-9217-x

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