Fluorination of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes: from CF4 plasma chemistry to surface functionalization

Wet chemistry route for the decoration of carbon nanotubes with iron oxide nanoparticles for gas sensing

In this work, we investigated the parameters for decorating multiwalled carbon nanotubes with iron oxide nanoparticles using a new, inexpensive approach based on wet chemistry. The effect of process parameters such as the solvent used, the amount of iron salt or the calcination time on the morphology, decoration density and nanocluster size were studied. With the proposed approach, the decoration density can be adjusted by selecting the appropriate ratio of carbon nanotubes/iron salt, while nanoparticle size can be modulated by controlling the calcination period. Pristine and iron-decorated carbon nanotubes were deposited on silicon substrates to investigate their gas sensing properties. It was found that loading with iron oxide nanoparticles substantially ameliorated the response towards nitrogen dioxide.

The effect of covalently bonded aryl layers on the band bending and electron density of SnO2 surfaces probed by synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

A downward to upward surface band bending change can be induced by grafted 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups on SnO₂.