6 Characterization of Aerosolized Particles Generated During Cutting of Carbon Nanotubes-Embedded Concrete

Abstract

Abstract Engineered nanomaterials are revolutionizing many industries, but little is known about potential exposures during the life cycle of nano-enabled composites. This study was conducted to characterize aerosolized particles using direct-reading instruments and integrated air samplers during cutting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-embedded concrete cylinder blocks. Three types of blocks, 0% (reference), low%, and high% MWCNT, were tested in a specially designed enclosure housing an apparatus for the cutting of a block with an automated computer-controlled process. The highest particle number concentration (163,821 particles/cm3) was measured for the reference cylinder, while others showed similar concentrations (131,689 particles/cm3 and 140,954 particles/cm3 for the low% and high% blocks, respectively). Regardless of the cylinder type, the size-selected particle number concentrations revealed one main mode with a peak at 0.72 µm indicating no shift in the size distribution from addition(s) of MWCNT. Respirable mass concentrations were 342 mg/m3, 405 mg/m3, and 432 mg/m3 for the reference, low%, and high% blocks, respectively. The mass median aerodynamic diameters were similar, 5.23 µm for the reference and 5.05 µm for both low% and high% blocks, indicating a predominant respirable fraction. Respirable particles (quartz, feldspar, paste, etc.) often appeared to be agglomerated materials that included both paste and aggregate minerals. No free MWCNT were observed by electron microscopy from low% and high% samples. These initial studies found no evidence of free MWCNT by cutting concrete test blocks and only minor differences in the particulate aerosol generated, which included a general increase in respirable mass with increasing % CNT.