Synthesis and characterization of a composite based on carbon nanotubes and selenium

A series of composites selenium multiwall carbon nanotubes (Se-MWCNTs) were prepared by heating mixtures of selenium and carbon nanotubes at different atomic ratios Se/MWCNTs (1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1). Some sinterizations were carried out after preheating carbon nanotubes in order to increase the number of imperfections for further interactions with selenium. The morphological studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmitting electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that, after Se melting, it transforms to an amorphous phase and the resulting mixture of MWCNTs and Se also possesses an amorphous structure. The electric conductivity of the studied material increases at higher percentage of carbon nanotubes in it. Additionally, the electric conductivity increases for the samples preliminarily preheated before the synthesis of the composite. The results of study of the electric behavior of this composite in a wide temperature range (75-350 K) will allow prediction of these properties at different temperatures and ratios of components.