Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube/SiO2 and Carbon Nanotube/SiO2/Ag Nanoparticles Hybrids by Using Plasma Treatment

Based on plasma-treated single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), SWCNT/SiO2 and thiol groups-functionalized SWCNT/SiO2 hybrids have been fabricated through a sol-gel process. By means of thiol groups, Ag nanoparticles have been in situ synthesized and bonded onto the SiO2 shell of SWCNT/SiO2 in the absence of external reducing agent, resulting in the stable carbon nanotube/SiO2/Ag nanoparticles hybrids. This strategy provides a facile, low-cost, and green methodology for the creation of carbon nanotube/inorganic oxides-metal nanoparticles hybrids.