Supercritical fluid fabrication of metal nanowires and nanorods templated by multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A practical approach to synthesize Pd, Ni, and Cu nanowires and nanorods using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as templates and supercritical CO2 as the reaction medium was demonstrated. Since the deposition process involves only H2 and precursors, it was possible to apply the same method to fabricate other metal/CNT composites, or to coat CNTs with metal films or nanoparticles. From the various results presented, it was observed that chemical fluid deposition in supercritical CO2 provides an effective and clean way to decorate CNTs.