Decoration of carbon nanotubes with metal nanoparticles by wet chemical method: a small-angle neutron scattering study.

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes have been synthesized by catalytic chemical vapour deposition method. Attempts have been made to decorate the walls of these nanotubes with various metal nanoparticles (Ni, Cu and Fe) after functionalizing the nanotubes walls by wet chemical method. Small-Angle Neutron Scattering data reveals chain cluster type morphology of the carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays and Small-Angle Neutron Scattering measurements show that decoration of nanotube walls by metallic nano-particles could be realized for Ni and Cu nano-particles. Further, wall decoration by nano-particles of Fe could not be achieved by wet chemical method due to strong agglomeration behavior of Fe nano-particles.