Ethylene glycol reflux synthesis of carbon nanotube/ceria core–shell nanowires

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/ceria core–shell nanowires were prepared facilely on a large scale under the boiling reflux of ethylene glycol. The composites are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction as well as Fourier transformed infrared spectra. It is found that the entire outer surface of CNTs is fully sheathed with a dense layer of uniform nanosized CeO2, and that the thickness of the coating sheath can be readily manipulated by tuning the molar ratio of ceria to CNTs. Finally, a possible formation mechanism has been suggested as follows: with the high reaction temperature, ethylene glycol is partially converted to oxalic acid, and the surface hydroxyl groups of CeO2 tiny particles react with oxalic acid to form the polymer-like inorganic–organic compounds. Subsequently, in view of the low-energy point, the polymer-like inorganic–organic compounds are coated on the surface of CNTs, and thus CNTs/ceria core–shell composites are obtained.