Dispersable carbon nanotube/gold nanohybrids: evidence for strong electronic interactions

The dispersible sample of carbon nanotubes (CNT) containing single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were analyzed. Dispersion was accomplished through immobilizing gold nanoparticles on the CNT surface, which creates novel hybrid composite materials that were characterized by strong electronic interactions. The interaction of CNTs with Au nanoparticles, observed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations, were corroborated by absorption spectroscopy. Microscopic and spectroscopic proof for the presence of CNTs and Au-C12 in dispersed MWNT and SWNT nanohybrids. The dispersed MWNT/Au-C12 and SWNT/Au-C12 give rise to strong electronic coupling, which affects important physiochemical properties. The electronically coupled state might involve a charge-transfer character, in which the Au nanoparticles function as an electron acceptor, receiving additional electron density from MWNTs or SWNTs.