Direct production of carbon nanotubes/metal nanoparticles hybrids from a redox reaction between metal ions and reduced carbon nanotubes.

A method to decorate single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with metal nanoparticles (NPs) based on the formation of a CNT polyelectrolyte is reported. Such a method does not rely on CNT surface functionalization or the use of surfactants. It has been tested for gold (Au) and palladium (Pd). The resulting hybrids present metal NPs highly dispersed along the tube walls and with small size dispersion. The average diameters of the Au and Pd NPs were approximately 5 and approximately 3 nm, respectively. This method paves the way for large-scale decoration of CNTs with metal NPs.