In situ synthesis of metal oxides in carbon nanotube arrays and mechanical properties of the resulting structures

In the past, aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been observed to exhibit a foam-like dissipative response in compression, garnering attention for possible mechanical applications. Nanoparticles have previously been integrated with graphitic materials for electrochemical applications. Here, we synthesize nanoparticles of SnO2 and MnO2 in the interstices of aligned arrays of CNTs without altering the ordered structure of the arrays, and we characterize their mechanical response. We report that CNT arrays with embedded particles present superior energy dissipation relative to unmodified CNT arrays. In addition, energy dissipation, strain recovery, and structural failure (observed after repeated loading) depend on particle type (SnO2 versus MnO2).