SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIMETAL DECORATED CARBON SPHERES FOR SENSING APPLICATIONS

摘要

Carbon nano-spheres (CNSs) were synthesised using the direct pyrohsis of a hydrocarbon gas at high temperatures. The CNSs were then functionalized and decorated with bimetallic particles of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) using microwave assisted catalyst synthetic procedures. The as synthesised, functionalised and Au/Ag decorated CNSs were extensively characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy. SEM studies revealed how the sizes of the particles vary with varying concentrations of hydrocarbon gas. TGA analysis revealed the information on the thermal stability of CNSs and it composites with Au/Ag. XRD analysis exhibited the formation of cubic structures of the bimetals on the CNSs surfaces. Raman spectra showed the degree of graphitization was improved at higher concentrations of the bimetals on spheres surfaces.