X-ray spectral studies of the interface interaction in CuO$_{x}$/MWCNTs nanocomposite

Results of a comprehensive study of the interface interaction of a nanostructured CuO$_{x}$ and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in CuO$_{x}$/MWCNT nanocomposite by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES, NEXAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods using a synchrotron radiation are presented. It is established that a nanostructured CuO$_{x}$ in CuO$_{x}$/MWCNT nanocomposite is predominantly formed by CuO and has the form of flakelike particles 200–500 nm in size uniformly dispersed over an array of nanotubes. A chemical interaction of CuO$_{x}$ and nanotubes with formation of covalent carbon–oxygen bonds, which does not lead to a significant destruction of the outer layers of carbon nanotubes, is observed at the interfaces of the nanocomposite.