The synthesis of a copper/multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrid nanowire in a microfluidicreactor

Abstract

Metallic nanowires are promising as components in nanoscale systems includingnanoelectronics. However, the application of nanowires made of a single material is limitedby the properties of the material used. We report here an effort to fabricate a hybridcopper-coated carbon nanotube (CNT)—Cu/CNT nanowire, using a microfluidicreactor. The fabrication of copper/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)hybrid nanowires was realized by an electroless copper deposition technique inwhich MWCNT templates and an electrolyte were introduced separately into themicrofluidic reactor. The morphology and structure of the Cu/MWCNT hybridnanowire were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM),selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) andenergy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), as well as XRD. Results reveal that thefabricated Cu/MWCNT hybrid nanowires are continuously covered by crystallizedcopper with a preferred crystal orientation along the (111) planes in the radialdirection of the MWCNTs. These structural properties are attributed to the uniquereaction environment including laminar flow and diffusion-controlled reaction.