Nanocomposites Consisting of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoparticles of Noble Metals

Abstract

In the framework of the made researches nanocomposite of CNT-NPs type (Carbon Nanotube-Nanoparticles) consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes coated by rhodium nanoparticles and/or palladium using the two-step indirect method: chemical reduction have been produced. In the researches high-quality multi-walled carbon nanotubes MWCNTs with a length of 100 to 500 nm and a diameter of 8 to 20 nm previously obtained in the catalytic-chemical vapour deposition CCVD have been used. Nanotubes produced within the framework of own researches contain minor amounts of metallic impurities and amorphous carbon deposits. In order to deposit the noble metal nanoparticles on the surface of carbon nanotubes functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3 acids have been used. The prepared material has been subjected chemical reduction using noble metal precursors (RhCI3, PdCl2). The characterization of the produced material including the examination of the structure, morphology, chemical composition and evaluation of the size and distribution of rhodium and/or palladium nanoparticles on the surface of carbon nanotubes has been performed using: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The produced nanomaterials may be used as the active layer of sensors of chemical/biological agents.