Single step Production of graphite from organic Samples for Radiocarbon Measurements

TitleSingle step Production of graphite from organic Samples for Radiocarbon Measurements
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsElder KL, Roberts ML, Walther T, Xu L
JournalRadiocarbon
Volume61
Issue6
Pagination1843 - 1854
Date PublishedJan-12-2019
ISSN0033-8222
Keywordsgraphite, radiocarbon, sealed tube graphite, single step graphite
Abstract

We present a new low-cost, high-throughput method for converting many types of organic carbon samples into graphite for radiocarbon (14C) measurements by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The method combines sample combustion and reduction to graphite into a single procedure. In the Single Step method, solid samples are placed directly into Pyrex containing zinc, titanium hydride and iron catalyst. The tube is evacuated, flame sealed, and placed in a muffle furnace for 7 hr. A variety of organic samples have been tested including oxalic acid, sucrose, wood, peat, collagen, humic acid, and contamination swipe samples. The method significantly reduces the time required to produce a graphite sample for 14C measurement, with analytical precision and accuracy approaching that of traditional two-step combustion and hydrogen reduction methods. The details and applicability of the method are presented.

URLhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S003382221900136X/type/journal_articlehttps://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S003382221900136X
DOI10.1017/RDC.2019.136