Multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with copper nanoparticles: Effect on the photocurrent response

Photocurrent generation measured with an electrochemical cell on carbon nanotubes has been obtained mainly from single-walled nanostructures. In fact, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were not expected to show analogous low-dimensional effects, due to their close similarity to metallic graphite. Recently we reported on the ability of MWCNTs to generate photocurrent in the visible and ultraviolet spectral range. In this paper we show a significant enhancement in the photocurrent generation when the walls of the MWCNTs were decorated with dispersed Cu nanoparticles. This result is of particular relevance for photovoltaic nanodevices and solar energy conversion applications.