Fabrication of Cu-WO3-functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite film electrode by direct deposition for sensing application

Abstract Development of nano composite film electrodes have been widely researched for its application as sensors, pseudo capacitors and negative electrodes. Different types of metal oxides, nano materials and various deposition techniques were concomitantly employed for fabrication of this type of electrodes. In the present work electroless deposition technique was applied for formation of copper seed layer over flexible poly ethylene substrate and further electrodeposition of WO3-functionalized multi walled carbon nanotube (fMWCNT) on to copper seed layer. Stable conducting films with uniform morphology of WO3-fMWCNT nano composite was formed over flexible copper substrate. The composite film possessed good electrochemical stability as revealed from various electrochemical analysis. The Cu-WO3-fMWCNT films were used as sensor for qualitative analysis of lubricant oils subjected to aging process under controlled conditions. The developed film electrode give good response curve in the impedance spectroscopy technique during the analysis of fresh and aged lubricant oil Different techniques such as X-ray Powder Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis with mapping pattern and Fourier Transform Infrared technique was used for characterization of the hybrid film electrode.