Single step Production of graphite from organic Samples for Radiocarbon Measurements. Issue 6 (25th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elder, K L; Roberts, M L; Walther, T; Xu, L
• Editors: Nadeau, Marie-Josée
• Is Part Of: Radiocarbon. Volume 61:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 1843
• Page End: 1854
• Publication Date: 2019-11-25
• Subjects: graphite, -- radiocarbon, -- sealed tube graphite, -- single step graphite; Radiocarbon dating -- Periodicals; 930.1028505
• DOI: 10.1017/RDC.2019.136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-8222

Abstract

Abstract: We present a new low-cost, high-throughput method for converting many types of organic carbon samples into graphite for radiocarbon ( 14 C) 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 14 C 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.