Functionalization of amorphous carbon nanotubes for au nanoparticles hybridization

• Main Authors: Dian, L.Y., Johan, M.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: T Technology (General); TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/13845/1/Functionalization_of_Amorphous_Carbon_Nanotubes_for_Au.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/13845/; http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1536383X.2013.869220#.VRIl647fV5k

Our study focuses on selection of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, and hydrochloric acid as the most suitable oxidation agent for a-CNT. Nitric acid functionalized a-CNT has the highest value of zeta potential -142.9 mV, followed by H2SO4, citric acids, and HCl functionalized samples of -60.3 mV, -15.9 mV, and -3.2 mV, respectively. High values of zeta potential represents surface charges, which refers to carboxyl groups present on tubes' bodies. At the same time, auric chloride (AuCl3) solution treatment was applied on citric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid treated a-CNT at the same condition. Nitric acid treated a-CNT was found to have the highest weight percentage of gold (Au) content. Therefore, indirectly, we have proven that nitric acid adds the most carboxyl groups upon functionalization.