Decoration of multi-wall carbon nanotubes with platinum nanoparticles using supercritical deposition with thermodynamic control of metal loading

We demonstrate that supercritical carbon dioxide deposition is a very effective technology for decorating multi-wall carbon nano-tubes with platinum nanoparticles with an average size as small as 2 nm and with a very narrow size distribution. Platinum loading can be controlled thermodynamically based on the adsorption isotherm of the platinum precursor between the supercritical carbon dioxide phase and the carbon nanotube phase. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.