Solvent-free microwave-assisted synthesis of tenorite nanoparticle-decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Copper-decorated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have important applications as precursors for ultra-conductive copper wires. Tenorite-decorated CNTs (CuO-CNTs) are ideal candidate and are currently used in laborious processes. For this reason, we have developed a facile and scalable method for the synthesis of CuO-CNTs from copper acetate. It was found that the optimal loading of copper acetate onto the CNTs was 23.1 wt% and that three 1-minute microwave treatments were sufficient for the decomposition of copper acetate to copper oxide. The loading of copper oxide onto the nanotubes was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The materials were characterised using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy