Infrared photoluminescence of composite films containing quasi-isolated multiwalled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanoshells

Films of small irregular-shaped aggregates composed by several layers of turbostratic graphite encapsulating iron nanoparticles, like carbon nanoshells, and quasi-isolated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), were synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition method on glass substrates. Quasi-isolated MWCNTs were found emerging in different directions on the agglomerates composed of carbon nanoshells. The morphological properties of the films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, whereas their optical properties were investigated using optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The studies show a high-intensity PL signal in the infrared at room temperature. This PL signal shows several peaks, which cannot be explained by a blackbody emission. However, the overall PL signal could be a combination of the black emission and electronic transitions. Furthermore, the observed infrared PL emission could be ideal for potential applications such as in gas sensors, infrared detectors and so on.