Transmission Electron Microscopy Investigation of Ultrafine Coal Fly Ash Particles

Chen, Yuanzhi; Shah, Naresh; Huggins, Frank E.; Huffman, G.P.

doi:10.1021/es049871p

Cited by 118 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Ti-Al-Fe, Fe-Si-Al, Ti-Si-Al, and Al-Mg-Fe are the major three-element categories (Chen et al, 2005). Our investigation also found the very similar combination of ultrafine coal fly ash particles.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 76%

“…These nano-particles in Steubenville showed very similar morphology and elemental composition of individual particles that were collected in Detroit. Chen et al (2005) previously characterized and documented ultrafine coal fly ash particles by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Their study reported that a combination of Ti-Al-Fe ultrafine particles has been found in Western Kentucky coal fly ash most frequently, and oxides of Fe, Ti, and Ca constitute the major single-element categories, and…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Individual Particle Analysis of Ambient PM 2.5 Using Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques

Keeler¹,

Morishita²

2006

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The overall goal of this project was to demonstrate a combination of advanced electron microscopy techniques that can be effectively used to identify and characterize individual particles and their sources. Specific techniques to be used include high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), STEM energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM).A series of ambient PM 2.5 samples were collected in communities in southwestern Detroit, MI (close to multiple combustion sources) and Steubenville, OH (close to several coalfired utility boilers). High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) -imaging showed a series of nano-metal particles including transition metals and elemental composition of individual particles in detail.Submicron and nano-particles with Al, Fe, Ti, Ca, U, V, Cr, Si, Ba, Mn, Ni, K and S were observed and characterized from the samples. Among the identified nano-particles, combinations of Al, Fe, Si, Ca and Ti nano-particles embedded in carbonaceous particles were observed most frequently. These particles showed very similar characteristics of ultrafine coal fly ash particles that were previously reported. By utilizing HAADF-STEM, STEM-EDX, and EF-TEM, this investigation was able to gain information on the size, morphology, structure, and elemental composition of individual nano-particles collected in Detroit and Steubenville.The results showed that the contributions of local combustion sources -including coalfired utilities -to ultrafine particle levels were significant. Although this combination of advanced electron microscopy techniques by itself can not identify source categories, these techniques can be utilized as complementary analytical tools that are capable of providing detailed information on individual particles.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual Particle Analysis of Ambient PM 2.5 Using Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques

Keeler¹,

Morishita²

2006

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“…From a toxicological standpoint, the smallest particles are of the greatest concern when ash is handled at landfill disposal sites (i.e. in transport and disposal, particularly in stormy weather conditions), and some researches have reported risks to workers with prolonged exposure to ash (Chen et al, 2005;Cprek et al, 2007).…”

Section: Particle Size Distribution Of Metals In the Cyclone Fly Ashmentioning

confidence: 99%

Particle size distribution and dissolution properties of metals in cyclone fly ash

Rönkkömäki

Pöykiö

Nurmesniemi

et al. 2008

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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ABSTRACT:The particles in the examined cyclone fly ash were all smaller than 0.25 mm. in diameter, and particles smaller than 0.075 mm. in diameter accounted for 88.4 % of the ash weight. This result indicates that cyclone fly ash consists of particles with a small diameter. The metals in the cyclone fly ash were enriched in small particles. The highest concentrations for zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and molybdenum in the cyclone fly ash were found in the smallest particle size fraction (< 0.075 mm.) and for Barium, chromium, nickel, Vanadium and Cobalt in the second to smallest particle size fraction (0.075-0.125 mm.). From an environmental and toxicological standpoint, the smallest particles are of the greatest concern when ash is handed at landfill disposal sites (transport and disposal especially in stormy weather conditions), and some studies have reported risks to workers from prolonged exposure to ash. The results of the comparison of various dissolution methods for metals showed that the digestion procedures with nitric acid alone (USEPA 3051) or with a mixture of nitric acid + hydrogen peroxide (USEPA 3050B) slightly underestimated the metal concentrations in the cyclone fly ash. Although the use of hydrofluoric acid is often necessary for the determination of a number of elements associated with siliceous minerals, its use can result in loss of trace elements during dissolution.

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“…All three samples also showed aggregates of carbonaceous particles with the size of 20-50 nm. Similarly, the carbonaceous soot particles were mixed or coated with multielement inorganic species in some cases [20]. Also, Hower et al used a combination of HR-TEM, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) to investigate fly ashes obtained from the combustion of an eastern Kentucky coal.…”

Section: Microscopy Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Instrumental approach toward understanding nano-pollutants

Naghdi

Metahni

Ouarda

et al. 2017

Nanotechnol. Environ. Eng.

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Nano-pollutants (NPLTs) have recently raised global concerns due to their possible harmful impact on environment and human health. However, until date, information on the occurrence, fate and toxicity of NPLTs in environment is scant. The knowledge gap can be attributed to the lack of advanced and sophisticated methodologies for the precise detection and characterization of NPLTs at lower concentration in complex matrices, such as surface water, wastewater, soil and food. This review briefly discusses the performance of classical methods for characterization and study of the properties of NPLTs. The important properties include shape, size, aggregation state, chemical composition and structure. Chromatographic, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques have been developed for detection and quantitative estimation of fabricated or naturally existed NPLTs in different matrices. Often, combination of these techniques is required for the separation, purification and accurate estimation. For better detection and understanding of the initial steps of interaction with the environmental matrices, pollution sources, such as wastewater and industrial discharges, must be selected as sampling points. Understanding the dynamics of agglomeration, and decantation will allow to estimate the plume of transport to delimit the potential effects.

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Transmission Electron Microscopy Investigation of Ultrafine Coal Fly Ash Particles

Cited by 118 publications

References 27 publications

Individual Particle Analysis of Ambient PM 2.5 Using Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques

Individual Particle Analysis of Ambient PM 2.5 Using Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques

Particle size distribution and dissolution properties of metals in cyclone fly ash

Instrumental approach toward understanding nano-pollutants

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