Microwave-assisted Electroless Deposition of Silver Nanoparticles onto Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

In this study, an efficient microwave-assisted self-organization of silver nanoparticles onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is proposed. Silver nanoparticles anchor onto the surface of MWCNTs through self-assembly at the reaction condition of 160 degrees C. We mixed the MWCNTs with saturated silver nitrate/nitric acid solution, without adding a reductant or stabilizer, and then heated them in the closed microwave heating system. The oxidizing conditions create active sites on the surface of MWCNTs and the silver nanoparticles spontaneously align at these sites through electroless deposition. The growing nanoparticles have fcc structures and their density increases upon increasing the reaction time.