www.derpharmachemica.com t Available online a Scholars Research Library Der Pharma Chemica, 2014, 6(3):24-26 (http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html) ISSN 0975-413X CODEN (USA): PCHHAX 24 www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com Synthesis and Characterisation of CNT/Metal Nanoparticles/Polymer Nanocomposite F. Mary Anjalin and Ramya Rajan Department of Physics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha University, Chennai _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT We report the synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTS) incorporated metal nanoparticles of silver and nickel. The MWCNTs were synthesized by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method. Metal nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction method. Solvent evaporation method is used to prepare composite films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to study the structure and morphology of the composite films. Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; PVDF; Metal Nanoparticles; XRD; SEM _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Carbon nanotubes possessing unique physical, chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties are arousing interest both in the academic and industrial areas in terms of their stiffness, high Young’s modulus, flexibility, and high electrical conductivity these properties can be attributed to the high degree of organization and high aspect ratio of CNTs [1]. However, owing to the rigidity, chemical inertness, and strong interactions of nanotubes, pure CNTs cannot be processed, as they are difficult to dissolve or disperse in common organic solvents or polymeric matrices. Therefore, the side walls of CNTs must be chemically modified to improve their dispersion or solubility in solvents or polymers [2]. CNT-conducting electro active polymer (CEP) composites are one of the most important, based on their electron donor and acceptor interactions. Many recent efforts have focused on the synthesis of CEPs with metal oxides because of their superior performance. Metal such us Ni, Ag containing nanoparticles have received a great deal of attention due to their unique electrical, catalytic, optical and sensing characteristics as well as their potential use in wide variety of applications ranging from optical and electronic nano devices[3]. In this work we have synthesized hybrid nanocomposites consisting of MWCNTs functionalized with PVDF and Metals (Ag, Ni) nanoparticles. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this work MWNTs were prepared by pyrolysis of acetylene over Mm based [Mm-Mischmetal, AB3 alloy hydride catalyst] using thermal CVD technique. The alloy hydrides were obtained through hydrogen decrepitation route. The as-synthesized MWCNTs contain some amorphous carbon and catalytic impurities [4].Uniform silver nanoparticles can be obtained through the reduction of silver ions by sodium borohydride (NaBH4) [5]. Reaction conditions including stirring time and relative quantities of reagents (both the absolute number of moles of each reactant as well as their relative molarities) must be carefully controlled to obtain silver nanoparticles[6].Nickel nanoparticles are prepared by reduction method using Hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent [7]. Preparation of Functionalized CNT film: CNTs were opened by 100 mg of MWCNTs were milled and dispersed in 3:1 mixture of H2SO4: HNO3 i.e. 75 ml of H2SO4 and 25ml of HNO3 and sonicate for 10 h in an ultrasonic bath [8].The mixture was subjected to vacuum filtration using a 0.2 Micro pore cellulose nitrate filter that was then washed several times with distilled water until the pH of the filtrate was 7.0. The filtered solid was dried under vacuum for 24 h at 120°C to give MWCNTs functionalized with carboxylic acid (MWCNTs-COOH) as shown in the figure 1.6 [9].The dispersed solution in then transferred into the Petri-dish and dry at 60°C. Opening the walls of CNTs. (New Nanocomposite containing metal nanoparticles, carbon Nanotube and polymer by Reza Sepahvand)