Oxygenated group and structural defect enriched carbon nanotubes for immobilizing gold nanoparticles

Surface functionalized and defect enriched carbon nanotubes (oCNTs) by green ozone/H₂O treatment can efficiently anchor gold nanoparticles. This Au/oCNT could be stabilized and well dispersed after thermal treatment and showed robust catalytic activity (20.6 mmol g_cat^-1 h^-1) for the oxidative self-coupling of benzylamine to imine in solvent free conditions.