Sidewall modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by Allivum sativum (garlic) and its effect on the deposition of gold nanoparticles

Sidewall modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (abbreviated as MWCNTs) was achieved using Allivum sativum (garlic) extract by an acid-free green process. These organosulfur modified-MWCNTs were then decorated with gold nanoparticles and examined by transmission electron microscopy. The presence of organosulfurs over the modified nanotube surface was confirmed. Nanotube surface modification and subsequent presence of thiols as an active linker was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In the absence of these organosulfurs (thiols), no gold nanoparticle attachment was observed. Both small (1–8 nm) and large (12–20 nm) gold nanoparticles were found to decorate the modified nanotube surface suggesting coalescence among nanoparticles.