Research on the methods to determine metallic aluminum content in aluminum nanoparticles

The high reactivity of aluminum nanoparticles (ANPs) made the determination of their metallic aluminum (Al) content difficult. Volumetric, thermogravimetry and permanganatometric methods were utilized to determine Al content. The reacted solution after volumetric measurement was further studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and select area electron diffraction (SAED), which revealed that there were unreacted Al particles. Peaks indexed to metallic Al were found in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the powders after thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The side reactions between ANPs and water made the result of permanganatometric measurement underestimated as by the former methods. A modified titration method, using anhydrous alcohol as solvent, was performed to reduce the influence of water. The Al content of the ANPs produced by electro-exploded wire using this method was consistent with the quantitative phase analysis by Rietveld refinement.