Electroless Deposition of Silver on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Using Iodide Bath

Electroless deposition of silver on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated using an iodide bath. Prior to electroless deposition of silver, the MWCNTs were chemically oxidized and then pre-treated using a typical two-step method (sensitization and activation) to form catalytic palladium nuclei on the MWCNTs. Dimethylaminoborane (DMAB) was used to reduce silver ions. Electroless deposition of silver was carried out at 25 C with variation of the pH. The microstructure of the deposits was evaluated using field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The silver iodide complex ion species present was determined to be AgI 4 3 from equilibrium potential measurements. Silver was selectively deposited on palladium nuclei on the surface of the MWCNTs and continuous diffusion of deposited silver and palladium nuclei resulted in a solid solution of Ag-Pd alloy particles on the MWCNTs at pH 7.5.