Comparison on modifications of vanadium oxide thin films by single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Vanadium oxide-Multi walled carbon nanotube (VOx-MWCNT) and vanadium oxide-Single walled carbon nanotube (VOx-SWCNT) were prepared by sol-gel process and systematically investigated. Results reveal that if MWCNTs are incorporated with VOx to form the VOx-MWCNT composite film, the VOx can strongly interact with MWCNTs, thus significantly modifying the chemical structures, crystallinity, and electrical properties of VOx. Interestingly, under the similar conditions, the interactions between SWCNT and VOx are weaker, leading to a moderate adjustment on the overall properties of VOx. This work reveals the modifications of CNTs on the chemical structures and physical properties of VOx, and particularly, the different influences between MWCNTs and SWCNTs on the VOx thin films are discussed. These results will be helpful for better understanding VOx-CNTs composite materials, and promoting further applications of such materials.