Electroless Plating of Metals onto Carbon Nanotubes Activated by a Single-Step Activation Method

Abstract

In this work, carbon nanotubes were activated with Pd−Sn catalytic nuclei via a single-step activation approach. These activated nanotubes were used as precursors for obtaining nickel- and palladium-decorated nanotubes via electroless plating. Activation of the nanotube surfaces promoted specific deposition of metal on the catalytic tube surfaces. As a result, carbon nanotubes densely coated with metal nanoparticles were obtained with reduced metal deposition in the reaction solution.