Carbon nanotubes, graphene and nano-oxides — characterised
CNT, graphene, nano-oxides and quantum dots from research grade to industrial tonnages — every lot ships with TEM, BET, XRD or DLS data tied to the batch.
Nanomaterials are sold by characterisation, not by name
The nanomaterials category covers materials whose key properties live below the 100 nm length scale — carbon nanotubes (single- and multi-walled), graphene and graphene oxide, fullerenes, nano-scale metal oxides (TiO₂, ZnO, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂), metal nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Cu, Ni), quantum dots and nano-clays. The performance is determined by particle size, surface area, surface chemistry and crystallinity — none of which are visible to the naked eye.
Buying nanomaterials by trade name is dangerous because two suppliers can ship products with the same nominal composition and very different real performance. A "single-walled CNT" can be 60% pure with a wide diameter distribution or 95% pure with a tight one — and the difference shows up immediately in any conductive composite or sensor application.
Sourcing Captain treats nanomaterials sourcing as a characterisation game. Every order is tied to a TEM image set, a BET surface area number, an XRD pattern and any application-relevant characterisation. We work with Chinese suppliers that already serve the global research and high-end industrial market — and we never substitute on grade.
A category where data is the product
For nanomaterials, the data sheet is more important than the powder. A graphene sample with the wrong layer count is not "almost graphene" — it is graphite, which behaves entirely differently in a battery electrode or a polymer composite. A TiO₂ that is 30 nm instead of 15 nm is a different paint additive and a different photocatalyst. Buyers in this category have learned to demand characterisation before they trust a name on a label.
A sourcing partner who insists on TEM, BET and XRD with every shipment, who retains samples for re-test, and who will not let a marginal lot ship is exactly what global nanomaterials buyers need. We make the data part of the contract, not an afterthought.
Nanomaterials sourcing — five steps
Characterisation spec
Define the specification by TEM particle size, BET surface area, XRD crystallinity and application-relevant tests.
Producer pick
Match the spec to a credible Chinese producer — we know the small group worth working with.
Sample lot
A small lot for full characterisation at our China QC office or an independent lab.
PO
Locked-price PO with per-batch characterisation as a release condition.
Release & ship
Release pack with TEM images, BET values and XRD patterns issued before container loading.
Characterisation pack per lot
TEM imagery
Transmission electron microscope images at the relevant magnifications, with scale bars.
BET surface area
Specific surface area measurement on the actual production lot.
XRD pattern
X-ray diffraction pattern with phase identification and crystallinity.
Particle size
DLS or laser diffraction PSD where the application calls for it.
Purity data
Elemental and impurity analysis for metals and oxides.
Sealed sample
A retained vial held under controlled storage for downstream verification.
Nanomaterials FAQs
What grades of CNT do you supply?
Single-walled CNT (>90% purity, narrow diameter), thin multi-walled CNT (3–6 walls), regular multi-walled CNT (>95%), and aligned CNT arrays. We can also supply CNT dispersions in water, NMP and DMF where the application calls for it.
Do you supply pristine or functionalised graphene?
Both. Pristine single- and few-layer graphene (CVD-grown or liquid-phase exfoliated), and functionalised graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide. The grade is part of the spec sheet.
How is shipping handled for hazardous nano-powders?
Most nanopowders are not classified as dangerous goods, but they ship in sealed double-bagged containers under inert gas where instability is a concern. For nano-metals (Ni, Cu) we ship under inert atmosphere to preserve oxidation state.
Can you scale from research to production?
Yes — we supply from grams to tonnes. Research grades are usually one or two suppliers; production-scale typically requires switching to a different supplier with the right reactor capacity. We map that switch transparently.
Will you sign an NDA?
Yes. NDA is routine for nanomaterials work because the buyer's downstream application is usually the proprietary part. The NDA covers both Sourcing Captain and the participating suppliers.
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Tell us what you need to source
Send specs, target volumes, and timelines. Our sourcing team replies within one business day with a sourcing plan and price guidance.