Preparation and magnetic property of multi-walled carbon nanotube/α-Fe2O3 composites

In order to attain new functional nanomaterials with good magnetic property, multi-walled carbon nanotubes/hematite (MWNTs/alpha-Fe2O3) composites were synthesized using the co-deposition method. MWNTs/alpha-Fe2O3 composites were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Raman spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The experimental results show that the structure and magnetic properties of the MWNTs/alpha-Fe2O3 composites are related to the heat treatment temperature. MWNTs are modified by alpha-Fe2O3 nano-particles and alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods with a diameter of 10-50 nm after being treated at 450 degrees C. When the heat treatment temperature exceeds 600 degrees C, MWNTs are only modified by Fe3O4 particles. Furthermore, the MWNTs composites treated at 450 degrees C and 600 degrees C have good magnetic behaviour.