Optimization and surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes using different hierarchical metal oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

ABSTRACT The metal oxide surface-functionalized CNTs have attracted the interest of many researchers worldwide because of their different and feast important applications. In this investigation, two different hierarchical metal oxide nanoparticles Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) have been loaded on the external surface of multi-walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) following the hydrothermal process by using the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. To assess the quality of preparation, the prepared nano composites were verified by utilizing various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. It was proven by the obtained results that, ZnO and Co3O4 are uniformly and homogenously loaded on the surface of MWCNTs, as presented in the SEM and HR-TEM images. Also, The FTIR confirms the presence of absorption bands related to the presence of CNTs, ZnO and Co3O4 nano materials. in addition, The HRTEM imgaes and corresponding SAED demonstrate the presence of nano particles (ZnO and Co3O4) on the external surface of MWCNTs. furthermore, ZnO particles have a hexagonal platelet structure, and their thickness increases as the amount of CTAB increases. Moreover, the XRD diffraction pattern confirms the crystalline structure of the loaded nanoparticles.