title: A novel method to encapsulate a Au nanorod array in 15 nm radius multiwalled carbon nanotubes.
abstract: In this paper we demonstrate a novel complex array structure comprising well-aligned Au nanorods (10 nm in diameter) encapsulated inside 15 nm radius multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A pre-aligned and open-ended nanoporous MWCNT membrane is used as the starting material. Au nanorods are precisely deposited and aligned inside the hollow channels of CNTs by inter-diffusing the HAuCl4 precursor and the reductant solution. Ultra-long Au nanowires and spherical Au nanoparticles are also observed in the CNT cavity with the same diameter in special cases. Using high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), 3-dimensional TEM (3D-TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), the precise location and composition of the encapsulated Au components with various structures are confirmed. This aligned Au@CNT endohedral material has important potential applications in nanocatalysis, waveguides, as well as in novel plasmonic devices.
authors.affiliation: Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Gaomin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Shaoyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yuyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Xiaohua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Muzi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Minghua
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Ophelia K C
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Tsui