Spontaneous Reduction of Metal Ions on the Sidewalls of Carbon Nanotubes

J. Am. Chem. Soc., 124 (31), 9058 -9059, 2002. 10.1021/ja026824t S0002-7863(02)06824-5
Web Release Date: July 16, 2002

Spontaneous Reduction of Metal Ions on the Sidewalls of Carbon Nanotubes

Hee Cheul Choi, Moonsub Shim, Sarunya Bangsaruntip, and Hongjie Dai*

Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

Received May 7, 2002

Abstract:

Nanotube/nanoparticle hybrid structures are prepared by forming Au and Pt nanoparticles on the sidewalls of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Reducing agent or catalyst-free electroless deposition, which purely utilizes the redox potential difference between Au³⁺, Pt²⁺, and the carbon nanotube, is the main driving force for this reaction. It is also shown that carbon nanotubes act as a template for wire-like metal structures. The successful formation of the hybrid structures is monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrical measurements.

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