Open AccessAccurate assembly of ZnO nanoclusters at the ends of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes in a microemulsion system
Author(s) -
Jiang Linqin,
Qiu Yu,
Luo Peihui,
Zhang Weilong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
micro and nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1750-0443
DOI - 10.1049/mnl.2016.0155
Subject(s) - nanoclusters , microemulsion , carbon nanotube , materials science , nanotechnology , microreactor , hydrothermal circulation , heterojunction , chemical engineering , micelle , nanosensor , hydrothermal synthesis , catalysis , chemistry , pulmonary surfactant , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , aqueous solution , engineering
A novel method is reported here to attach ZnO nanoclusters accurately at the end of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a hydrothermal system. The ends of MWCNTs were selectively functionalised using gas‐phase functionalisation in ammonia. ZnO/MWCNT heterojunctions are formed accurately at the nanotube‐ends through hydrothermal microemulsion synthesis. The reverse micelle of sodium dodecyl sulphate combines with the positive nitrogen‐containing basic groups at the MWCNT end and act as the microreactors for ZnO nanoclusters. The sidewalls of the MWCNTs remain intact without any ZnO particles functionalisation. The results represent a versatile approach that is highly scalable and could pave the way toward versatile heterojunction devices fabrication.