Fullerene C60 (CAS 99685-96-8) is a high-value specialty chemical, and buying it correctly comes down to one thing above all: purity. The difference between 95% and 99.5% C60 is not just price — it is the difference between usable material and wasted experiment. This purchasing guide covers the specification sheet, the COA and the supplier checklist for C60.
1. Reading the C60 Specification
| Parameter | Typical value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Purity (C60) | 95%, 99%, 99.5%+ | The single most important parameter |
| C70 content | Low (main impurity) | Affects results in precise studies |
| Residual solvent | Low (toluene etc.) | Matters for sensitive applications |
| Ash / heavy metals | Low | Safety and purity |
| Appearance | Black to dark brown powder | Visual QC |
2. What a Complete COA Should Contain
- Product name and CAS number (99685-96-8)
- Batch number and production date
- Purity (measured, e.g. by HPLC)
- C70 and higher fullerene content
- Residual solvent, ash, heavy metals
- Test methods and quality manager signature
3. Choosing the Right Grade
- 95%: economical for exploratory research and non-precision uses.
- 99%: standard for reproducible research and electronics development.
- 99.5%+: for demanding applications (high-end electronics, precise studies, cosmetic-grade claims).
Higher purity costs significantly more — buy the grade your application actually needs.
4. Packaging, Storage and Handling
- Packaging: small glass vials (grams) to bulk containers; keep sealed.
- Storage: dry, sealed, away from strong oxidizers; protect from light.
- Handling: fine powder — avoid inhalation; use gloves and dust protection.
5. How to Verify Quality on Arrival
- Check labels against the COA batch number.
- Visual check: consistent black powder, no clumping or foreign matter.
- Verify purity (HPLC if available) against the COA.
- Run a solubility test in toluene (should dissolve readily).
- Keep a retained sample per batch.
6. Supplier Checklist
- Manufacturer vs reseller — manufacturers control purity and batch consistency.
- Measured purity on every COA (not just “99% min”).
- Consistent C70/solvent/ash values per batch.
- Stable supply for research-scale and larger orders.
- Price transparency per grade.
7. FAQ
How do I know the real purity of C60?
Request the HPLC-measured purity and C70 content on the COA; a simple toluene solubility test is a quick arrival check.
Is 95% C60 good enough?
For exploratory research yes; for reproducible results and electronics, use 99%+.
Why is 99.5% C60 so much more expensive?
Purification to remove C70 and higher fullerenes is costly; premium purity is needed only for demanding applications.
Can I get a small trial amount?
Yes — C60 is commonly supplied in gram-scale vials for testing before bulk purchase.
8. References and Further Reading
- Standard methods for fullerene purity analysis (HPLC)
- Manufacturer COA guidance for carbon nanomaterials
This article is published for industrial and technical reference by PolyblueChem. Specifications are typical; verify against the supplier’s COA.
PolyblueChem supplies fullerene C60 (CAS 99685-96-8) in 95%, 99% and 99.5% grades with COA. See our C60 guide. Contact us for samples and quotations.