Overview
ISO/TR 10929:2012 - Nanotechnologies: Characterization of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) samples - is an informative Technical Report that identifies the basic properties and impurity contents needed to characterize bulk MWCNT samples and maps these parameters to commonly used industrial measurement methods. The document provides a sound basis for research, development and commercialization of multiwall carbon nanotubes but does not include sample preparation or detailed measurement protocols.
Key Topics
The report defines the essential MWCNT characterization parameters and the measurement techniques typically applied in industry:
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Structural and dimensional properties
- Outer diameter (TEM, SEM)
- Inner diameter (TEM)
- Interlayer distance (XRD, TEM)
- Length (SEM, TEM)
- Disorder in crystal structure (Raman spectroscopy - D/G ratio, TEM)
- Oxidation temperature (TGA/DTA)
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Impurities and content analysis
- Carbon material not in MWCNT form (SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA)
- Metal content from catalysts (ICP-AES/OES, AAS, ICP-MS, XRF, SEM/EDS)
- Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (HPLC-MS, GC-MS with extraction)
- Volatile content (to ~100 °C and higher temperatures) (TGA, EGA-GCMS)
- Ash content after combustion (TGA)
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Reporting requirements (Clause 8)
- Properties measured, methods used, quantitative/qualitative results
- Sample identification, data reliability and deviations from the Report
Applications and Who Uses It
ISO/TR 10929 is targeted at organizations and professionals involved in the nanomaterials value chain:
- MWCNT manufacturers and process developers calibrating product quality
- Research labs and R&D teams characterizing nanotube batches
- Analytical laboratories offering TEM/SEM, Raman, TGA, ICP, GC-MS services
- Product developers using MWCNTs in composites, sensors, field-emission devices and nanoelectronics
- Quality assurance teams and regulators assessing material consistency and impurity levels during commercialization efforts
Practical benefits include standardized mapping of key properties to measurement methods, guidance for reporting characterization data, and support for safer, more consistent MWCNT product development.
Related Standards
ISO/TR 10929 references and complements other ISO nanotechnology documents, including:
Keywords: ISO TR 10929, MWCNT characterization, multiwall carbon nanotubes, nanotechnologies, TEM SEM Raman TGA ICP-MS, impurity analysis, PAH, ash content.