Nucleation of metal clusters on plasma treated multi wall carbon nanotubes

The influence of a preliminary RF-plasma treatment of the multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) surface on the resulting overlayer morphology (dispersion, shape and size of metal clusters) formed by thermally evaporating Ag, Ni or Au atoms is studied. RF plasma treatments successfully bind polystyrene, oxygen, amine and fluorine chemical groups depending on the type of gas used for the treatment (styrene, O2, Ar, NH3 or CF4) of the MWCNT surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the dispersion and size of the metal particles on MWCNT surface depend on the gas type used for plasma treatment, on the nature of the evaporated metal, on the MWCNT curvature and on the evaporation time.