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Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes—Health, Safety and Environmental Status



Author(s)

Gunther Van Kerckhove

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DOI:10.17265/2161-6221/2019.3-4.001

HS&E division, OCSiAl Europe Sarl, Leudelange 3364, Grand Duchy de Luxembourg

SWCNTs (single wall carbon nanotubes) are a universal additive that improves the properties of numerous base materials. Their exceptional physical and chemical characteristics, such as superior conductivity to weight ratio, high flexibility, excellent temperature resistance, ultimate strength, and high length to diameter ratio (about 3,000 times) have been known for several decades since their discovery in 1991 by Japanese physicist Sumio Iijima. However, due to the previous lack of industrial approvals and independent researchers, only recently have extensive and significant data on health, safety and environment aspects been collected. In 2014, OCSiAl debuted the world’s first—and currently the only—facility for industry scale production of high-purity TUBALL™ single wall carbon nanotubes at an economically viable price. The unprecedented 10 tons production capacity developed SWCNTs into a technologically and economically feasible product for many industries, such as composites, plastics, coatings, elastomers, and batteries. OCSiAl is also the first company to initiate a variety of single wall carbon nanotubes certification procedures, helping to blaze a trail to further their widespread use. This paper amasses the significant knowledge based on health, safety and environmental aspects of SWCNTs grounded on OCSiAl internal research findings, revealed results of industrial partners and various tests conducted by independent researchers. Among the latter are tests on themorphology and non-cytotoxicity of the TUBALL™ SWCNT substance, as well as the results of the Buehler sensitizing assessment test and Ames test.

Nanotubes, CNT, nanomaterial, toxicity, nano-safety.