Carbon nanotubes decorated with noble metal nanoparticles

One-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a uniqe tubular structure and excellent electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, zero-dimensional noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) also exhibit unique optical, electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties. Combined these two nano-materials together through supporting metal nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs a new kind of nano-hybrid of metal and nonmetal are created, this nano-hybrid can not only possess their intrinsic outstanding performance, but alos give birth to some extraordinary characteristics, significantly having potential applications in the fields of chemical catalysis, hydrogen storage, direct alcohol fuel cells, electronic devices and bio-sensors. In this review, the suggested methods about the decoration of NMNPs on CNTs are generally discussed, primarily including the covalent modification and non-covalent modification.In particular, the techniques about the functionalization of carbon nonotubes with the natural polymer (such as DNA, polypeptides, polysaccharides and DNA) are additionally introduced, and the functionalized polymers will not only improve the biocompatibility and the water dispersion of CNTs, but also effectively increase the loading of NMNPs on nanotubes. Therefore, the as-prepared CNTs/NMNPs nao-hybrids have obvious advantages for some biological applications such as drug delivery, bio-sensors, immobilization and separation of proteins and cancer diagnosis or treatment.