Achieving high stability of MgO/carbon nanotube interface via the co-deposition technique

Abstract

In this work, high stability of MgO/carbon nanotube (CNT) interface has been achieved through coating MgO nanoparticles on the surface of CNT via the co-deposition technique. Experimental results indicate that two types of MgO nanoparticles, those are single-crystal and poly-crystal nanoparticles were uniformly coated on the surface of CNT. The oxygen groups on CNT introduced by purification are crucial to the nucleation and growth of MgO nanoparticles on the surface of CNT via the C–O–Mg bonds interaction, and resulting in the formation of MgO/CNT interface in the sample of MgO@CNT. The survived stable interface of MgO/CNT in the long time (22 h) and high intensity ultrasonic vibration (1000 W) treatment, suggests that the MgO/CNT interface has an excellent stability in microstructure. The calculations of work of adhesion for the interface models gives the evidence that MgO nanoparticles can form a strong interfacial bonding with CNT, proving the high stability of the MgO/CNT interface. MgO-coated CNT with high stable interface is suited to act as the reinforcing additive for the matrix of Mg alloy.