Phase-inversion method for incorporation of metal nanoparticles into carbon-nanotube/polymer composites

A facile and one-step method of incorporating NPs (nanoparticles) into carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites by a phase inversion method was studied. CNTs and waterinsoluble polymer were dissolved in an organic solvent that is miscible with water. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used for measuring the changes in capacitance and resistance to heterogeneous electron transfer of AuNP/CNT/PSf and CNT/PSf composites. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)was used to measure the elemental composition of the CNT/PSf and AuNP/ CNT/PSf composites. Cyclic voltammetry of ferricyanide shows that the oxidation/reduction signal of the ferrous/ferric couple is about two times higher at the AuNP/CNT/PSf composite electrode than on the CNT/PSf. Metallic and semiconductor NPs and quantum dots into the CNT/polymer matrix in a one-step is applicable to any polymer that is soluble in water-miscible organic solvent.