Abstract
A nanocomposite of Ag@C nanocapsules dispersed in a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) matrix was fabricated in situ by a facile arc-discharge plasma approach, using bulk Ag as the raw target and methane gas as the carbon source. It was found that the Ag@C nanocapsules were ∼10 nm in mean diameter, and the MWCNTs had 17–32 graphite layers in the wall with a thickness of 7–10 nm, while a small quantity of spherical carbon cages (giant fullerenes) were also involved with approximately 20–30 layers of the graphite shell. Typical dielectric behavior was dominant in the electronic transport of Ag@C/MWCNT nanocomposites; however, this was greatly modified by metallic Ag cores with respect to pure MWCNTs. A temperature-dependent resistance and I–V relationship provided evidence of a transition from Mott–David variable range hopping [ln ρ(T) ∼ T−1/4] to Shklovskii–Efros variable range hopping [ln ρ(T) ∼ T−1/2] at 5.4 K. A Coulomb gap, ΔC ≈ 0.05 meV, was obtained for the Ag@C/MWCNT nanocomposite system.
Highlights
Silver is a typical metal with a low melting point, high electrical conductivity, electrochemical activity, and favorable specialties
The detected graphite phase was thought to be from the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and onion carbon structures existing in the powder; both will be further con rmed by the following high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images
It is seen that the Ag nanocapsules (Ag@C)/MWCNT composite consists of Ag (31 wt%) and C (69 wt%) elements, while a small quantity of carbon and the Cu element come from the sample holder
Summary
Silver is a typical metal with a low melting point, high electrical conductivity, electrochemical activity, and favorable specialties.
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