Effect of carbon nanotubes support on band gap energy of MgO nanoparticles

In this study, the effect of carbon nanotube supports (CNT) on the morphology and band gap of MgO nanoparticles was studied. The synthesis of MgO nanoparticles on the surface of CNT supports was carried out by direct precipitation method and using magnesium nitrate in aqueous solutions containing CNT. The prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction. The optical properties of the nanoparticles were studied using UV-Vis spectrometer. The results indicated that the presence of CNTs decrease the average size of the MgO nanoparticles. Also the use of CNTs as support has reduced the band gap energy of MgO nanoparticles, considerably.