Preparation of Sn films deposited on carbon nanotubes

In this work carbon nanotubes were first grown on copper substrate by chemical vapor deposition method. The Sn deposits were then deposited on the surface of as-grown carbon nanotubes by three different methods: electroplating, electroless plating and displacing methods. The Sn deposits on CNTs surface were characterized by both scanning electron microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope. The compositions of Sn deposits were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope. The results showed that both electroless plating and displacing deposits can but the electroplating deposits cannot cover on the surface of CNTs. Besides C, Sn, Ni and Pd, the electroless deposits also contain element of oxygen and the displacing deposits also contain elements of copper and oxygen.