Facile synthetic route to decorate carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with gold nanoparticles is presented via a simple chemical reduction process using �-diketone and sodium citrate at room temperature. Pristine- and surface-modified MWCNTs were comparatively utilized for the preparation of MWCNT-Au-nanoparticles nanohybrid. Gold nanoparticles on the surfaces of MWCNTs were produced in situ, and more importantly all the solutions were aqueous phase-based. The surfaces of MWCNTs were functionalized with thiol groups through several steps including oxidation. The shape of the prepared gold nanocrystals on the �SH functionalized MWCNTs was spherical and the diameter of the particles was in the range of ~2 nm. It was found that thiolated MWCNTs were densely decorated with Au nanparticles, while pristine MWCNTs were not.It was also found that gold nanoparticles were successfully prepared when MWCNT-PANI (polyaniline) composites were utilized, indicating that MWCNT-PANI composites played a role as a reducing agent for the reduction of gold precursor. The average size of Au nanoparticles was 20 nm, and it was easily controlled by just varying the concentration of MWCNT-PANI.

Surface modification of MWCNT and preparation of MWCNT-Au nanoparticles composites

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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