Decoration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with silver nanoparticles and investigation on its colloid stability

In this paper, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were decorated with silver nanoparticles which have been successfully synthesized by chemical reduction of Ag cations on the acid treated MWCNTs surface by sodium hydroxide. Ag/MWCNTs were characterized by TEM and XRD. The results indicated that silver nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed on the outer surface of MWCNTs. The dispersibility of pristine, acid treated and decorated carbon nanotubes in distilled water were investigated by zeta potential and optical image. The results revealed that the dispersion of acid treated carbon nanotubes in distilled water was better than those of pristine MWCNTs and Ag/MWCNTs.

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► Oxygen containing groups on acid treated MWCNTs act as sites for deposition silver nanoparticles on MWNTs.
► Ultrasonication help to decrease of Ag nanoparticles size on acid treated MWCNTs.
► Stability of MWCNTs decorated using silver nanoparticles in distilled water than acid treated MWCNTs has decreased.