Synthesis and transport properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 conformally-coated on carbon nanotubes

We report for the first time the fabrication of nanostructured ferromagnetic lanthanum strontium manganite La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) conformally coated onto bamboo-like carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) by pulsed laser deposition. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that one-dimensional LSMO/BCNTs with diameters ranging from 100-160 nm and lengths over 10 μm were obtained. Line-scanned energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy profiles, selected area electron diffraction rings, and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy maps provided further insight into the hybrid nanostructures. LSMO/BCNT and BCNT were also investigated via in situ electrical probing in a transmission electron microscope using a piezo-driven scanning tunneling microscopy holder. Modeling of the I–V characteristics of individual hybrid nanotubes yielded the resistivity, bandgap, and electron density of LSMO and BCNT. The results show that the transport properties of LSMO/BCNT are superior to those of BCNT. This research advances the integration of oxide materials and carbon nanotubes, bringing forth new avenues for miniaturization and fabrication of one-dimensional core-multishell materials with multifunctional properties that can be used as building blocks in nanodevices.