Carbon Nanotube and Gold‐Based Materials: A Symbiosis

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes constitute a novel class of nanomaterials with potential applications in many areas. The attachment of metal nanoparticles to carbon nanotubes is new way to obtain novel hybrid materials with interesting properties for various applications such as catalysts and gas sensors as well as electronic and magnetic devices. Their unique properties such as excellent electronic properties, a good chemical stability, and a large surface area make carbon nanotubes very useful as a support for gold nanoparticles in many potential applications, ranging from advanced catalytic systems through very sensitive electrochemical sensors and biosensors to highly efficient fuel cells. Here we give an overview on the recent progress in this area by exploring the various synthesis approaches and types of assemblies, in which nanotubes can be decorated with gold nanoparticles and explore the diverse applications of the resulting composites.

Nanobioelectroanalysis Based on Carbon/Inorganic Hybrid Nanoarchitectures

“…The exact synthetic route for such CNTsÀinorganic hybrids, and the extent of their synergistic function, depend on the type and purity of CNTs and the modification of their surface chemistry. Singh et al [29] reviewed recently synthesis protocols and different assemblies, in which CNTs can be decorated with AuNPs and explored the diverse applications of the resulting composites. Li et al [30] described an efficient synthesis of CNTs-nanoparticle nanohybrids based on the nondestructive (noncovalent) functionalization of pristine CNTs and the subsequent in situ formation of a variety of different nanoparticles (metal, semiconductor, and insulator nanoparticles) on the asmodified CNTs.…”

Electrochemical Sensing Platform Based on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs)/Gold Nanoparticles (AuNps) Nanocomposite

“…It is well known that there exist different methods for the synthesis of AuNps [2,4] and the citrate reduction is one of the commonly used ways, where the stable and dispersed AuNps could be readily obtained and the size could be easily controlled [12,13]. So, we have decided to adopt a one-step synthesis method to synthesize a nanocomposite based on SWCNTs and AuNps.…”

“…Another advantage of this approach is that a variety of chemical and physical synthesis techniques can be applied: reduction in solution of inorganic salts, electrodeposition, sol-gel processing, and chemical vapor deposition or physical deposition (laser ablation, electron beam deposition, thermal evaporation, and sputtering) [10,12,13].…”

“…The combination of the two classes of materials (CNTs and metallic NPs) may lead to a successful integration of the properties of the two components in the new hybrid material that presents important features for catalysis and nanotechnology [10][11][12][13]. There are two strategies for fabricating heterostructures: one involves the prior synthesis of nanoparticles that are connected to functionalize (CNTs) via either covalent or non-covalent interactions (building block approach), the other is in situ formation of nanoparticles onto the surfaces of CNTs [10][11][12]14].…”

Chitosan-mediated synthesis of carbon nanotube-gold nanohybrids

“…In particular, carbon nanotube-gold nanohybrids are emerging materials that are receiving increasing interest for applications in heterogeneous catalysis [2], as electrochemical sensors/biosensors [3], for the development of fuel cells [4], and in nanomedicine [5]. The "bottom-up" construction of such nanodevices usually requires the assembly of the noble metal nanoparticles (AuNPs) and several routes have been devised to link the metallic species to the surface of carbon nanotubes [6]. Examples include direct attachment of AuNPs on the nanotube sidewalls and chemical vapour deposition.…”