Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotubes decorated with platinum nanoparticles

Abstract

Purpose: In presented work results of synthesis of carbon nanotubes decorated with platinum nanoparticles by organic colloidal process as an example of direct formation of nanoparticles onto CNTs are reported. Design/methodology/approach: CNT were grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) by the catalytic decomposition of CO. To improve metal deposition onto CNTs the purification procedure with a mixture of concentrated HNO3–H2SO4 and H2O2 reduction reagent was applied. CNT–nanocrystal composite was fabricated by direct deposition of nanoparticles onto the surface of CNTs. Chemical composition and crystallographic structure of the obtained Pt/CNT composites were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, while transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for characterization of the morphology of composite as well as the distribution of nanocrystals on the CNTs surfaces. Findings: High efficiency of proposed method was confirmed as well as possibility of the coating of Pt nanoparticles onto CNTs, without aggregation of these particles. Research limitations/implications: Many others noble metals such as palladium, platinum, gold and iridium can be used for deposition on the CNTs using described procedure. Originality/value: Obtained material can be employed in constructing various electrochemical sensors. As a result of increasing of the surface area of Pt caused by the reduction of the size of used particles, fabricated sensor may be characterized by higher sensitivity.