Abstract:
Nanostructures possess interesting particle dimensions, high surface areas, improved solubility, biological
adsorption and improved electrochemical behavior. Based on the properties of nanostructures compared
to their bulk counterparts, a hybrid material has been developed using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silver
(Ag) nanoparticles. CNTs were grown using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and then purified
and functionalized using an acidic mixture. Silver nanoparticles were generated through the reduction of
AgNO3 using NaBH4 and during the progression of reaction, Ag ions were trapped in the COOH linkage
of an acid functionalized CNT, which resulted in decoration of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of
the CNT. Three different concentrations of nano-hybrids were developed by varying the amount of
Ag nanoparticles. The CNT@Ag nano-hybrids were successfully characterized using SEM, TEM, EDX, BET,
XRD and FTIR. It was observed from SEM micrographs that the variation in concentrations of reactants
resulted in modulation of the morphology of CNT@Ag nano-hybrid. Electrochemical and photo-physical
behaviours were tested for the developed nano-hybrids. The synthesized CNT@Ag nano-hybrid was
used to monitor and control toxic gases, where an attempt was made to detect CO2 in an aqueous
medium using developed nano-hybrids via an electrochemical route. Results showed that the proposed
sensor exhibited a significant response towards the detection of CO2 with a detection limit of 52 nM,
and it also converted CO2 to oxalates.
