Synthesis of Au nanotubes with $SiOx$ nanowires as sacrificial templates Available to Purchase

Gold nanotubes with $SiOx$ nanowires as sacrificial templates have been synthesized. $SiOx$ nanowires were functionalized by 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane that generates a charged surface. The attachment of negatively charged Au nanoparticles was followed. The coverage of Au nanoparticles was initially less than 30%. Further coverage was achieved by the reduction of gold hydroxide to grow the continuous nanoshell on Au nanoparticles, which serve as nucleation sites. The final coverage of Au nanoshells on $SiOx$ nanowires depends strongly on the relative amount of $SiOx$ nanowires in gold hydroxide solution. Both transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope images revealed the formation of Au nanotubes with the removal of $SiOx$ nanowires by etching in a dilute HF solution.