Nebulization of single-walled carbon nanotubes for respiratory toxicity studies

An ultrafine aerosol consisting of airborne single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was produced by nebulizing functionalized SWCNTs in methanol. Prior to atomization, purified SWCNTs were functionalized with aryl sulfonate groups via a Birch reaction. The functionalized SWCNTs were then dispersed in methanol and nebulized using a TSI-3076 constant output atomizer. Atomic force microscopy of a mica plate placed in the flow revealed both individual and bundled SWCNTs. We anticipate that this method for producing ultrafine mists of SWCNTs will enable respiratory toxicity studies of inhaled ultrafine SWCNT particulate.