Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructures: MWCNTf/TiO2 and MWCNTf/TiO2/HAp

Summary: In the present work nanostructured systems based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) coated with titania (TiO2), hydroxyapatite (HAp) and their combinations were synthesized using sol-gel and precipitation methods. Different synthesis variables were used (calcination, concentration of MWCNT and gel aging time). The TiO2 nanoparticles size was 4.4 nm, independent of the synthesis conditions. The best coating was obtained by aging the gel during 20 days. Also the use of the surfactant SDS resulted in a good dispersion of the HAp particles on the MWCNT walls. HAp increases the thermal stability of MWCNTs.