Preparation and characterization of a novel hetero-nanostructure of zirconium diboride nanoparticle-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A zirconium diboride/carbon nanotube (CNT@ZrB₂) hetero-nanostructure was synthesized using a one-step strategy by a carbothermal reduction reaction. During this process ZrO₂ was reduced to ZrB₂ and ultrafine nanoparticles with a size of ∼40 nm were uniformly coated on the nanotubes. The chemical composition, morphology and phase structure of the sample were investigated using techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TGA, FESEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed the surprising thermal stability of the CNT@ZrB₂ compared to CNT. This improved thermal performance is closely related to the synergistic effect of ZrB₂ on CNT.