Decoration of carbon nanotubes with magnetic Ni1−xCoxFe2O4 nanoparticles by microemulsion method

In this study, magnetic monodisperse ferrite Ni1−xCoxFe2O4 (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8) nanoparticles have been successfully deposited on the side wall of the carbon nanotubes by a simple, effective and reproducible microemulsion method. The structure, composition and size of the as prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vibrating sample magnetometer was used to investigate magnetic properties of prepared samples. Results indicated that a large number of high purity magnetic ferrite nanoparticles of size about 15–25 nm were decorated uniformly on the surface of carbon nanotubes. Magnetic measurements showed that all the CNTs decorated with ferrite nanoparticles show ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature and can be easily manipulated by an external magnetic field. The maximum saturation magnetization value of the Ni1−xCoxFe2O4/CNTs nanocomposites reached 44.21 emu/g. These magnetic ferrite/CNTs nanocomposites have many potential applications ranging from biomedical field to electromagnetic devices.

► The novel Ni1−xCoxFe2O4/CNTs nanocomposites were synthesized. ► A simple microemulsion method was first time used for the synthesis of nanocomposites. ► Carbon nanotubes were coated with large quantity of magnetic nanoparticles. ► Ferrite/CNTs nanocomposites show ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. ► Ferrite/CNTs nanocomposites have many applications in nanoscience and technology.