Enhanced binding strength between metal nanoclusters and carbon nanotubes with an atomic nickel defect

Using spin-polarized density functional theory calculations, we study binding properties of small metal nanoclusters (Cu(13) and Al(13)) onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs). On defect-free CNTs, the binding affinity with the Cu or Al cluster is very weak. When various defects such as vacancies, substitutional nickel defects, and nickel adatoms are introduced in CNTs to increase the binding strength, the binding energies of the metal nanoclusters increase substantially irrespective of types of defects. The effect of the Ni adatom is especially noticeable. Our results propose a method for improving the wettability of metal-CNT complex composites.