Synthesis and Characterization of SiO2@CNTs Microparticles: Evaluation of Microwave-Induced Heat Production

This study was focused on the growth of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on iron chloride-functionalized silica microspheres. In addition, the microwave absorption potential and the subsequent heat production of the resulting structures were monitored by means of infrared thermometry and compared with pristine commercially available MWCNTs. The functionalized silica microparticle substrates produced MWCNTs without any amorphous carbon but with increased structural defects, whereas their heat production performance as microwave absorbents was comparable to that of the pristine MWCNTs. Two-minute microwave irradiation of the SiO2@CNTs structures resulted in an increase in the material's temperature from ambient temperature up to 173 degrees C. This research puts forward a new idea of charge modulation of MWCNTs and sheds light on an investigation for the development of bifunctional materials with improved properties with respect to efficient microwave absorbance.

Automated summary

This study investigates the growth of MWCNTs on iron chloride-functionalized silica microspheres and compares the microwave absorption potential of the resulting structures. The research shows that functionalized silica microparticle substrates can increase the structural defects of MWCNTs, but their heat production performance as microwave absorbents is comparable to pristine MWCNTs.