Laboratory glove boxes (inert gas protection boxes) are mainly divided into stainless steel (circulating purification) glove boxes and acrylic/plastic (non-circulating) glove boxes. They provide a high-purity environment free of water, oxygen, and dust, and are widely used in fields requiring the protection of sensitive substances, such as lithium batteries, semiconductors, organic synthesis, materials science, and biological culture.
Main Types of Laboratory Glove Boxes:
- Stainless Steel Inert Gas Purification Glove Box (Standard/Vacuum Glovebox):
Features: High sealing performance, equipped with a circulating purification system (removing O₂ and H₂O), achieving a water and oxygen concentration of <1 ppm. The box body is made of stainless steel, usually with a round or square observation window.
Applications: Scientific research work requiring extremely high purity inert atmospheres (such as high-purity nitrogen and argon). - Acrylic/Plastic Glove Box:
Features: High transparency, low cost, easy to move, can be placed inside a fume hood.
Applications: Routine anti-pollution, moisture-proof, and anaerobic operations. - Custom-made glove boxes: Further subdivided by function, including anti-static, high-temperature calcination, high-pressure or low-pressure testing, and microscope operation glove boxes.
Core Applications of Laboratory Glove Boxes:
Lithium-ion Battery and Materials Research: Electrolyte assembly, separator testing, and material coating, requiring extremely low air sensitivity.
Organic and Chemical Synthesis: Handling organometallic compounds and nucleophiles sensitive to air or water.
Physics and Materials Science Research: OLED material preparation, perovskite solar cells, superconducting materials, microfabrication, and metal surface treatment.
Biological and Medical: Anaerobic bacteria culture and low-oxygen cell culture (simulating the in vivo environment).
Nuclear Industry and Medical: Handling radioactive materials or performing aseptic operations in the medical field.
Selection and Usage Recommendations:
Performance Indicators: Focus on gas, water, and oxygen concentrations; enclosure sealing; and circulation and purification capabilities.
Routine Operation and Maintenance: Before operation, you should learn the basic knowledge and working principle of the laboratory glove box, including core tasks such as changing gloves, vacuum pump maintenance, and gas circulation system maintenance.
