Nanotubes à la carte: wetting of porous templates.
Nanotubes have an outstanding potential both for applications in nanotechnology and as the subject of basic research. Wetting of porous templates is a simple technique that overcomes many limitations of established preparation methods. It extends the range of processable materials, for example, by a broad range of multicomponent mixtures or by high-performance polymers such as poly(oxy-1,4-phenyleneoxy-1,4-phenylenecarbonyl-1,4-phenylene) (PEEK) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Inducing controlled phase transitions generates a large specific surface, a specific nanoporosity, or oriented crystalline domains within the nanotube walls. Template wetting provides customized nanotubes and allows us to investigate how the wall curvature affects the structure formation.
Steinhart
Martin
M
Institute of Physical Chemistry, Philipps-University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 35032 Marburg, Germany. steinhar@mpi-halle.de
Wendorff
Joachim H
JH
Wehrspohn
Ralf B
RB