Application of electroless deposition for surface modification of the multiwall carbon nanotubes

Highlights: • A method of electroless metallization for surface modification of MWCNT is proposed. • A methodology of obtaining uniform coatings on surface of CNT is developed. • Ni-P coating is intended to improve the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes. • Ni-P coating grains on the CNT surface have a nanocrystalline structure. The paper describes modification of carbon nanotubes surface by attaching the grains of Ni-P, Ni-B, Co-B and Fe-B. The modification was obtained by electroless metallization using sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂). We have investigated the parameters of electroless metallization process of CNTs. The uniformity of the coating on the carbon nanotubes was related to proper surface activation. While optimizing the electroless deposition, a range of catalyst concentrations from 0.1 to 1.0 gPd/l were tested. Deposition was used to improve the electrical properties of the later composite materials CNT-Ni-P/epoxy. The best results of electroless deposition were obtained for Ni-P and Ni-B coatings.