Single Step Production of Graphite from Organic Samples [Poster]

We present a low-cost, high-throughput method for converting many types of organic samples into graphite. The method combines sample combustion and graphitization in a single process. Using a modified sealed graphitization method, samples are placed in a Pyrex tube containing zinc, titanium hydride and iron catalyst. The tube is evacuated, flamed sealed, and placed in a muffle furnace for 7 hours. Graphite forms on the iron and is then analyzed for 14C content using either of NOSAMS’s two AMS systems. This method has been shown to work on a variety of organic samples including pure compounds, wood, peat, collagen and humics. This simplified procedure could be especially useful in reconnaissance studies in which it is desired to rapidly measure a large number of samples (untreated or pretreated), at low-cost with analytical precision and accuracy approaching that of traditional hydrogen reduction methods.