INAA and ion-beam analysis of elemental admixtures in carbon-based nanomaterials for battery electrodes

Six carbon materials with potential application in research and development of battery electrodes were tested for mass fractions of more than 40 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis and ion-beam methods. The results indicate potential of the methods for characterization of materials with very low content of impurities (carbon black) as well as those with relatively high content of certain transition metals (e.g., single walled carbon nanotubes, SWCNT). A batch-to-batch variability of elemental impurities was found for commercial SWCNT. Quality control was performed by analysis of CRM SWCNT-1, NIST SRM 1633b, NIST SRM 2711, and NIST SRM 1547. (author)