What type of cleaning agent is recommended to be used with charger cleaning?
The solvent that is used for cleaning the impactor can be used for cleaning the charger as well. The solvent has to dissolve the measured particles efficiently; for example salts dissolve easily to water, grease to non-polar solvents. The parts should be placed in an ultrasonic bath in a suitable solvent for several minutes. The last wash is recommended to be made with isopropanol, as it eases the drying. The charger is made of Teflon and stainless steel. These materials can stand many solvents. However, Teflon can easily build up static charge, so remember not to wear rubber gloves when handling the Teflon parts. In addition, some solvent molecules may stick to the Teflon surface making the Teflon part conductive even though it seems that all the solvent has evaporated. Therefore the agent should be washed carefully off with e.g. isopropanol and then allow the parts to dry before using the charger in the ELPI™.
