Evaporation of WO₃on carbon nanotube films: a new hybrid film

Abstract

Hybrid WO3-CNT ( carbon nanotube) films were prepared in two steps: in the first step, the drop coating method was employed for coating silicon substrates with a MWCNT (multiwalled CNT) film prepared with oxygen plasma functionalized MWCNTs; in the second step, a layer of WO3 nanoparticles was deposited over the MWCNT film by using an advanced gas deposition unit. The WO3 nanoparticles are formed by condensation. SEM images show that the morphology of the hybrid films is characterized by an overlayer formed from WO3 particles anchored at the surface of a well-dispersed MWCNT underlayer. TEM images show that the hybrid films are composed of a WO3 matrix supported through a dispersed mesh of CNTs-the CNTs act as internal pillars. This morphology increases the surface area for gas interaction.