Abstract
In this report, a parametric study was carried out on the single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) based Cu2O/SWCNTs nanocomposite. The SWCNTs were synthesized via plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) process and nanocomposite through RF sputtering technique. The prepared samples have been characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffractometry (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM/HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman scattering techniques for the detailed structural information. The analysis of XRD data affirms the amorphous nature of the nanotubes and crystalline phase of the Cu2O sample. HRTEM micrographs reveal dispersion of Cu2O nanoparticles of an average size of similar to 3.2 nm onto the surface of SWCNTs. The optical properties were studied through UV-vis spectroscopy. Using Tauc's relation, band gap was estimated and found to be 2.7 and 2.51 eV for Cu2O and Cu2O/SWCNTs nanocomposite respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles and nanocomposite was explored by the photodegradation of methylene blue solution under visible light irradiation. Field dependent magnetization exhibits ferromagnetic nature of both the samples at room temperature that opens a new window for the future electronic devices based on carbon nanotubes.