Gold coated Carbon Nanotubes (Au/CNT)

Gold coated Carbon Nanotubes– exhibit outstanding chemical activity due to their large active surface area and unique crystallographic surface structure.

Gold coated Carbon Nanotubes – CNTs decorated with metal nanoparticles (NPs) like Silver nanoparticles, Gold nanoparticles, Nickel nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, Magnesium nanoparticles, palladium nanoparticles, platinum nanoparticles, exhibit outstanding chemical activity due to their large active surface area and unique crystallographic surface structure.

Au coated Carbon Nanotubes– – Carbon nanotubes can be decorated with indirect and direct physicochemical and physical methods mainly with noble and transition metals. The fabricated nanocomposites possess a series of advantageous applications in the fields of fuel cells, solar cells, catalysis, drug delivery, chemo/biosensors, and hydrogen storage.

Applications

 Electronics and Nanoelectronics

Conductive Materials: Au-CNTs are used in the production of highly conductive materials for flexible electronics, printed circuits, and conductive inks. The gold coating enhances the electrical conductivity of CNTs, making them suitable for use in next-generation electronic devices like flexible sensors, displays, and RFID tags.

Interconnects in Microelectronics: The combination of gold’s high conductivity and CNTs’ mechanical strength makes Au-CNTs ideal for creating more efficient, smaller, and faster interconnects in microelectronic devices, which is essential for the continued miniaturization of integrated circuits.

Electromagnetic Shielding: Due to their conductive nature, Au-CNT composites can be used for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, which is crucial for protecting sensitive electronic equipment from electromagnetic radiation.

 Biosensors and Medical Applications

Biosensors: Gold-coated CNTs are widely used in the development of highly sensitive biosensors for detecting a variety of biological markers, such as proteins, DNA, and pathogens. The gold surface allows for easy functionalization with biological molecules (e.g., antibodies), making Au-CNTs ideal for detecting specific biomolecules with high sensitivity and selectivity.

Cancer Detection and Imaging: Au-CNTs can be used in nanoparticle-based imaging techniques, such as optical imaging and X-ray imaging. The gold coating can enhance the contrast in imaging applications and enable targeted delivery of contrast agents to specific sites, like tumors.

Drug Delivery: The biocompatibility of gold, combined with the unique properties of CNTs, makes Au-CNTs suitable for targeted drug delivery systems. Gold nanoparticles can carry and release drugs in a controlled manner, and the CNTs provide a stable platform for the drugs to be encapsulated or attached to the surface. Gold’s surface properties can also be modified to target specific tissues or cells.

Thermal Therapy: In photothermal therapy, Au-CNTs are used as agents that absorb light (usually near-infrared light) and convert it into heat. This localized heat can be used to selectively destroy cancer cells, making Au-CNTs an effective tool in cancer treatment.