Comparison of the MWCNTs-Rh and MWCNTs-Re carbon-metal nanocomposites obtained in hightemperature

Abstract

Carbon-metal nanocomposites consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes coated with rhodium or rhenium nanoparticles by the high-temperature method were fabricated during the research undertaken. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes fabricated by Catalytic-Chemical Vapour Deposition (CCVD) were used in the investigations. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes functionalisation in acid or in a mixture of acids was applied to deposit rhodium or rhenium nanoparticles onto the surface of carbon nanotubes, and then the material was placed in a solution being a precursor of metallic nanoparticles. The material prepared was next subjected to high-temperature reduction in the atmosphere of argon and/or hydrogen to deposit rhodium or rhenium nanoparticles onto the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The investigations performed include, respectively: fabrication of a CNT-NPs (Carbon NanoTube-NanoParticles) nanocomposite material; the characterisation of the material produced including examination of the structure and morphology, and the assessment of rhodium and/or rhenium nanoparticles distribution on the surface of carbon nanotubes. Micro- and spectroscopy techniques were employed to characterise the structure of the nanocomposites obtained.