Carbon nanotubes decorated by graphitic shells encapsulated Cu nanoparticles

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decorated by graphitic shells encapsulated Cu nanoparticles were fabricated by low-energy hydrocarbon ion deposition with using Cu as hold substrate at 900°C. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the surface of CNTs becomes very coarse by hydrocarbon ion treatment. The investigation of transmission electron microscope shows that the full surfaces of CNTs are coated by dense graphitic shells encapsulated Cu nanoparticles. The graphitic shells consist of 7–10 layers and the size of Cu core is 1–2 nm.