Division 1.5.3.2 Sample Preparation

If necessary, organic binder can be removed by placing the fibre inside a furnace at 450 °C for about one hour.

Cone and quarter to subdivide the sample (this should be done inside a dust cupboard).

Using a spatula, add a small amount (< 0,5 g) of sample to 100 ml of freshly distilled water that has been filtered through a 0,2 μm membrane filter (alternative sources of ultra pure water may be used if they are shown to be satisfactory). Disperse thoroughly by the use of an ultrasonic probe operated at 100 W power and tuned so that cavitation occurs. (If a probe is not available use the following method: repeatedly shake and invert for 30 seconds; ultrasonic in a bench top ultrasonic bath for five minutes; then repeatedly shake and invert for a further 30 seconds.)

Immediately after dispersion of the fibre, remove a number of aliquots (e.g. three aliquots of 3, 6 and 10 ml) using a wide-mouthed pipette (2-5 ml capacity).

Vacuum filter each aliquot through a 0,2 μm polycarbonate filter supported by a 5 µm pore MEC backing filter, using a 25 mm glass filter funnel with a cylindrical reservoir. Approximately 5 ml of filtered distilled water should be placed into the funnel and the aliquot slowly pipetted into the water holding the pipette tip below the meniscus. The pipette and the reservoir must be flushed thoroughly after pipetting, as thin fibres have a tendency to be located more on the surface.

Carefully remove the filter and separate it from the backing filter before placing it in a container to dry.

Cut a quarter or half filter section of the filtered deposit with a type 24 scalpel blade using a rocking action. Carefully attach the cut section to a SEM stub using a sticky carbon tab or carbon glue. Silver dag should be applied in at least three positions to improve the electrical contact at the edges of the filter and the stub. When the glue/silver dag is dry, sputter coat approximately 50 nm of gold or gold/palladium onto the surface of the deposit.