Effect of highly dispersed sputtered silver nanoparticles on structural properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A simple method to decorate mutliwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to enhance the structural properties is reported in the present study. The Ag NPs of average size 9 nm were deposited uniformly on MWCNTs network by RF sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to compare the structural properties of Ag NPs sputtered nanotubes with those containing functionalized tubes. In addition, effect of these Ag NPs on the surface of nanotubes and optimization of the experimental parameter for uniform deposition of Ag NPs are also discussed.