Ionic liquid-dependent morphological changes of CdOx and ZnOx deposited on multiwalled carbon nanotubes

► CdOx and ZnOx were in situ synthesized on the multiwalled carbon nanotubes. ► The morphologies of CdOx and ZnOx were determined by the types of ionic liquids. ► The discrete nanoparticles of CdOx and ZnOx were formed. ► The layered structures or aggregation of CdOx and ZnOx were constructed.