Functionalization of gold and carbon nanostructured materials using gamma-ray irradiation

Gold nanoparticles were successfully attached to the surface sites of carbon nanotubes (CNT). Both nanostructured materials were functionalized by λ-ray irradiation without chemical treatments for creating active sites. UV–visible absorption spectra of the un-irradiated and gamma ray-irradiated nanomaterials are also studied. The absorption spectrum of the irradiated CNT shows a new strong peak located at 700 nm, which might act as the active site on the surface of CNT, the result being an attachment of gold nanoparticles. This approach provides an efficient method to attach other nanostructures to carbon nanotubes for using them in different applications such as medicine and synthesis of catalytic materials.