Tailored nanoparticles and wires of Sn, Ge and Pb inside carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We demonstrate three different synthesis procedures to fill carbon nanotubes with main group IV-elements in their metallic state. We demonstrated, that filling CNT with nanoparticles really demands an adjusted procedure. After finding the best filling method, we tuned the morphology of filling particles, degree of filling and sample purity, in terms of coating-to-filling-ratio, by variation of the reaction parameters. A mass fraction of up to 30% of a highly crystalline filling material and a pure outer nanotube surface at once, can address conditions for application. Using the template CNT, we prepared chemically stable, metallic nanoparticles with a well-defined size distribution and high rates of filling. Such materials are promising candidates for sensoric and energy storage applications.