Silver nanoparticle assembly on carbon nanotubes triggered by reductive surfactant coating

A conceptually new strategy has been developed for the deposition of Ag nanoparticles (AgNp) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The approach was based on the dispersion of MWCNT using cetylpyridinium chloride (CC), reaction with potassium borohydride (KBH4) and synthesis of uniform cetylpyridinium borohydride (CBH4) coatings on MWCNT. The CBH4 coating material provided good suspension stability and served as a reducing agent and a template for controlled Ag+ reduction and synthesis of AgNp. The AgNp-MWCNT hybrid material showed a high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, which was ascribed to the uniform dispersion of AgNp on MWCNT surface. The method offers a versatile strategy for the synthesis and assembly of other nanomaterials on MWCNT.