Multi-walled carbon nanotubes-supported Fe(naph)3 nanoparticles to prepare polyacetylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a promising candidate for preparing conductive polymer/CNT nanocomposites. CNTs are also an alternative to conventional catalyst support. This report studies multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) supported-Fe(naph)₃ nanoparticles to prepare polyacetylene (PA)/MWNT nanocomposites with core–shell structure. The XPS spectra and HRTEM images demonstrate the Fe(naph)₃ nanoparticles successfully deposited on the walls of MWNTs and partially transformed to γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles after heated at 100 °C for 2 h. XRD analysis indicates the formation of PA on the walls of MWNTs. Structural analysis using HRTEM shows that PA/MWNT nanocomposites exhibit core–shell structure. TGA data reveals the stability of PA grown on the exterior walls of MWNTs has been improved. The growth mechanism of PA/MWNT nanocomposites can be explained by a heterogeneous process. The conductivity of the nanocomposites was studied by a four-probe approach and a relatively high conductivity was observed.