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Selective Deposition Of Metal Nanoparticles Inside Or Outside Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Jean-Philippe Tessonnier, Ovidiu Ersen, Gisela Weinberg, Cuong Pham-Huu, Dang Sheng Su, Robert Schlogl

Jean-Philippe Tessonnier

A general method is described for the deposition of metal nanoparticles selectively either inside or outside of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The method is based on the difference in the interface energies of organic and aqueous solutions with the CNT surface. Because of their lipophilic character, the organic solvent better wets the surface of the nanotubes compared to water and penetrates into the inner volume. The precise control of the volume of each phase allows filling the CNT with the organic phase and covering its outer surface with the aqueous one. Hence, metal nanoparticles can be put with high selectivity either …