Laser-induced decoration of carbon nanotubes with metal nanoparticles

Abstract

Hybrid nanomaterials consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) decorated with noble metal nanoparticles were produced by irradiating aqueous mixed solutions of the separate components with nanosecond lasers pulses at 248 nm. Specifically, the decoration with Au and Pd nanoparticles is discussed. No decoration of the MWCNT was observed by simple mixing with nanoparticle solutions. Hence, a photo-thermal mechanism is suggested, whereby the laser-heating of the nanoparticles induces melting, boiling and subdivision into smaller clusters and atoms, which then attach to the MWCNT. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.