Characterization of carbon nanotube decorated silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) prepared using the exploding wire process has been decorated with carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, SWCNTs). Well dispersion of silver NPs is achieved by a simple chemistry process on the surface of CNTs. The structure, optical and morphology of silver nanoparticles decorated with carbon nanotubes were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Atomic force microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The illustrated outcome that the UV-Visible absorption and electrical conductivity properties effectively improved for CNT/Ag NPs. The absorption spectrum of silver nanoparticles shows absorption at ultraviolet wavelength zone and there is low peak between (300-900nm) while the absorption of CNT/silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) increased significantly from UV to near IR region. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that silver nanoparticles are decorated on carbon nanotubes without any impurities, with average particle size about (50-80nm) for Ag-NPs, 44nm for MWCNTs/Ag-NPs and 30 nm for SWCNTs/Ag NPs. It was observed that Ag NPs enhanced the electrical conductivity of CNTs from (2.36 ×10-1 (1/Ω.cm) to (1.03×104 (1/Ω.cm)) for SWCNTs/Ag NPs and (8.83×104 (1/Ω.cm)). It is observed that Ag NPs adding enhanced the electrical properties of CNTs. The results show that Ag-coated CNTs have important optoelectronic applications such as solar cell and photodetector.