An X-ray Absorption, Photoemission, and Raman Study of the Interaction between SnO₂ Nanoparticle and Carbon Nanotube

The interaction between SnO 2 and substrate in SnO 2 nanoparicles (NPs)−carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite has been studied by X-ray absorption near-edge structures (XANES) at Sn M 5,4, O K-edge and C K-edge. SnO 2 NPs in the composite have a rutile crystal structure with abundant surface states. The variation in resonance features of the XANES strongly supports that the crystalline SnO 2 NPs interact with CNTs through synergic bonding involving charge redistribution between C 2p-derived states and the valence and conduction bands in SnO 2 NPs via interaction at the interface facilitated by oxidation treatment of the CNT prior to composite formation. Raman and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) results support the synergic bonding interaction. Such interaction is expected not only to immobilize SnO 2 NPs on CNT but also to improve the conductivity of SnO 2 NPs.