Selective Formation of Metal Nanoparticles on the Sidewalls of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract Pt and Au nanoparticles spontaneously form on the sidewalls of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in a selective manner. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies reveal that metal ions are first absorbed on the sidewalls of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and then are reduced by ethanol. This mechanism is tentatively proposed and discussed.