Decoration of carbon nanotubes with iron–cobalt (FeCo) alloy using polymer-stabilization and electroless deposition techniques for thermotherapy applications

FeCo nanoparticles were successfully plated onto the surface of CNTs via a one-step catalyzation method for electroless deposition. The FeCo plated CNTs were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). FeCo deposition and plating uniformity were also characterized. The results show the approach as a feasible means of decorating CNTs with metal nanoparticles without the use of Sn sensitization solution. The CNT–FeCo composite easily heated to the desired temperature range of 43–46 °C required to inhibit thermotolerance development in cancer thermotherapy. Using the elemental mappings of the deposited nanoparticles, a quantitative distribution index is defined and it is used to quantitatively characterize the influence of catalyst on the deposit uniformity on the CNTs. Pd distribution appears to control the plating uniformity and hence has significant influence on the magnetic properties of the deposit.