Elemental analysis of a single-wall carbon nanotube candidate reference material

A material containing single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with other carbon species, catalyst residues, and trace element contaminants has been prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for characterization and distribution as Standard Reference Material SRM 2483 Carbon Nanotube Soot. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were selected to characterize the elemental composition. Catalyst residues at percentage mass fraction level were determined with independent NAA procedures and a number of trace elements, including selected rare earth elements, were determined with NAA and ICP-MS procedures. The results of the investigated materials agreed well among the NAA and ICP-MS procedures and good agreement of measured values with certified values was found in selected SRMs included in the analyses. Based on this work mass fraction values for catalyst and trace elements were assigned to the candidate SRM.