Point of zero charge of maghemite decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes fabricated by chemical precipitation method

In this research paper, maghemite decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (maghemite/MWCNTs) were synthesized using a low temperature (50 degrees C) co-precipitation method. Synergistic effects due to the combination of unique surface characteristics of MWCNTs with magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles were achieved using this versatile and easy chemical method. Synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Filed emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). In addition, changes in point of zero charge (pH(PZC)) value of nano structures were investigated in chronological order of sample preparation using pH drift method. The measured pH(PZC) values were 5.43, 2.66, 3.63 and 3.89 for raw MWCNTs, oxidized MWCNTs, maghemite/MWCNTs with Iron salt/MWCNT ratio of 2:1 and 4:1, respectively. It is demonstrated that introducing maghemite nanoparticles on the surface of oxidized MWCNTs slightly increased pH(PZC) values of nanocomposites making them promising candidates for many technological applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.