Abstract
Tin oxide (SnO2) - decorated carbon nanotube (CNT) heterostructures were synthesized by
microwave assisted wet impregnation method. CNTs of three different aspect ratios were compared.
The hybrid samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, high
resolution transmission electron microscopy, BET surface area analysis and DC conductivity
measurement. The results showed that the microwave assisted synthesis is a very efficient method in
producing CNTs that are heavily decorated by SnO2 nanoparticles in a very short time (total reaction
time of 10 min.), irrespective of their length and diameter. The hybrids showed 100 times increase in
electrical conductivity when compared to the unmodified CNTs.