Synthesis of In2O3 nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes by laser ablation in liquid and their characterization

Abstract

Here, we report the application of the pulsed Nd: YAG-laser ablation technique (PLA) to the decoration of In2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) on Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). Nanocrystalline indium oxide particles were prepared for the first time by direct interaction of indium target with different laser energy for 100 pulses. We could regulate how much the nanoparticles covered the MWCNTs surface by applying the number of laser ablation pulses 50, 75, 100, and 125 at 550 mJ. A Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm) with a 9 ns pulse width was used to accomplish the ablation process. The absorption spectra of the pure In2O3 NPs and decorated nanotubes showed a prominent peak at about 275 nm and 265 nm, respectively. It is discovered that the band energy of the prepared samples is laser parameters dependent. It was decreased with increasing the laser energy for pure In2O3 NPs and decreased with increased laser shots for In2O3@MWCNTs nanostructure. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the presence of CNTs and In2O3 nanoparticles phases. The Photoluminescence spectra (PL) peak emission of In2O3@MWCNTs nanostructure was in the visible region and lower intense than that of In2O3 nanoparticles. Energy-dispersive spectra showed the presence of C, O, and indium in the final product. The results showed that adding In2O3 NPs to the surface of MWCNTs is a viable way to improve wideband light absorption. This approach also offers more effective charge transfer with the lowest effective recombination rate, which improves photocatalytic performance and may find use in optoelectronic devices.