Preparation of low-dimensional carbon material-based metal nanocomposites using a polarizable organic/water interface
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Sarah J. Haigh School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Aminu K. Rabiu and Andrew N.J. Rodgers School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Alexander M. Rakowski School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Robert A.W. Dryfeb) School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK (Received 31 March 2015; accepted 28 July 2015)
Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and liquid-phase exfoliated multilayer graphene (MLG) material thin films were assembled at a polarizable organic/water interface. A simple, spontaneous route to functionalize/decorate the interfacial assembly of MLG and SWCNTs with noble metal nanoparticles, at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES), is reported. The formation of MLG- or SWCNT-based metal nanocomposites was confirmed using various microscopic (scanning electron, transmission electron, and atomic force microscopy) and several spectroscopic (energy dispersive x-ray and Raman spectroscopy) techniques. Increasing the interfacial deposition time of the metal nanoparticles on the assembled low-dimensional carbon material increased the amount of the metal particles/structures, resulting in greater coverage of the MLG or SWCNTs with metal nanoparticles. This low-cost and convenient solution chemistry based impregnation method can serve as a means to prepare nanoscale carbonaceous material-based metal nanocomposites for their potential exploitation as electro-active materials, e.g., new generation catalysts or electrode materials.
I. INTRODUCTION
The functionalization/impregnation of low-dimensional carbon materials, i.e., the single-atomic layer carbons, graphene (GR),1 and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs),2 has led to a surge of interest in a variety of modification techniques, such as low-cost chemical doping procedures, to tailor the electronic, structural, and chemical properties of GR and SWCNTs.3–6 Several studies related to the formation of GR or SWCNT-based nanostructures using Pd or Pt as a functionalizing agent have been reported, but in these cases the time to impregnate the nanoscale carbon materials is usually 12 (Refs. 6–9) to 24 h.10 Electrical polarization of the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) generates electrochemical potential gradients capable of promoting ion Contributing Editor: Mauricio Terrones Address all correspondence to these authors. a) e-mail: [email protected] b) e-mail: [email protected] This paper has been selected as an Invited Feature Paper. DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2015.250 J. Mater. Res., Vol. 30, No. 18, Sep 28, 2015
and electron transfer across the molecular boundary.11 The potential drop on the aqueous side of the liquid/ liquid boundary is spread over a region of 1–10 nm.12,13 Under potentiostatic conditions, the flux of ions across the interface manifests itself as an electrical current.14 The ITIES is reported to be an ideal candidate for in situ generation and reversible assembly
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