Illumination of a Black Box: Analysis of Gas Composition During Graphite Target Preparation

Abstract

We conducted a study of relative gas composition changes of CO2, CO and CH4 during the formation of graphite targets using different temperatures, catalysts and methods. Reduction with H2 increases the reaction rate without compromising the quality of the AMS target produced. Methane is produced at virtually any temperature, and the amount produced is greater at very low temperatures. The reduction of CO to graphite is very slow when H2 is not included in the reaction.