Abstract
ZnO nanoparticles of size 2-10 nm were generated in situ from the single Source precursor [2-(methoxyimino)propanoato]zinc(II), ([CH3ONCCH3COO](2)Zn center dot 2H(2)O) Onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at low temperature (150 degrees C). The degree of ZnO coverage oil the MWCNTs can be tuned and is dependent upon the ZnO precursor concentration. A plausible growth mechanism based on surface saturation of as-deposited precursor on the MWCNTs has been proposed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate the nano-crystalline nature of the ZnO particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TEM investigations of the ZnO deposition revealed a dense and homogeneous deposition along the complete periphery of the MWCNT. The ZnO/MWCNT nanocomposite hybrid materials were further electronically characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) as well as room temperature photoluminescence (PL). The nanostructured ZnO/MWCNT composite shows a better sensing performance when compared to bare MWCNTs in the detection of low CO levels (20-200 ppm).