Template fabrication of SiO2 nanotubes

Abstract

The authors report the preparation of silica nanotubes by a simple two-stage thermal evaporation of ZnSe and SiO powders. Firstly, nanocables with single crystalline ZnSe nanowire cores and amorphous SiO2 shells were formed by a combined vapor-liquid-solid and SiO-assisted growth process. The ZnSe cores were then evaporated at high temperatures leaving behind SiO2 nanotubes. As-fabricated SiO2 nanotubes were studied with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopic analysis, and photoluminescence measurement. The SiO2 nanotubes were found to be amorphous, diameter uniform, smooth, and rigid. This method can be used to prepare other materials and morphology-controlled nanotubes.