Obtaining and description of the MWCNTs-Pd nanocomposite

Purpose: The main aim of the research was to produce nanocomposites consisting of carbon nanotubes coated with palladium nanoparticles and the characterisation of the obtained materials. Design/methodology/approach: High quality multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with the length of 100-400 nm and the diameter of 6-25 nm obtained in advance with Catalytic Chemical Vapour Deposition (CCVD) were employed in the investigations. Carbon nanotubes–palladium nanoparticles system was fabricated by direct deposition of palladium nanoparticles, produced earlier, onto the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes. Findings: The investigations using transmission electron microscopy together with an EDS and XPS analysis have confirmed the fact of producing an MWCNTs-Pd nanocomposite. Examinations with Raman spectroscopy have allowed to determine the difference between the degree of defects of carbon nanotubes before and after modification with palladium nanoparticles. Research limitations/implications: The presence of palladium has influence on the electrical properties of the nanocomposite, enhances sensitivity and selectivity of the CNTsNPs system in contact with the chosen chemical substance, and the result is the changing of the conductivity of nanotubes. It is a basis for the application of the studied material as an active substance of sensors of chemical/biological compounds. Originality/value: The paper presents the results of investigations relating to the synthesis of a nanocomposite material consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and Pd nanoparticles and the characteristics of the material produced in terms of its structure, morphology and the distribution of Pd nanoparticles on the external surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and chemical composition.