Synthesis and Applications of Noble-Metal Nanotubes

Abstract

Metallic nanotubular materials can be formed in two different man- ners, self-organization or template-assisted organization, depending on their bonding natures. Base metallic Bi and Te with a 1D or 2D interatomic covalent bonding na- ture form a nanotubular phase by the reduction reaction of their salts at elevated temperatures through the cylindrical or scrolled growth of the metal atoms based on their bonding anisotropies. In contrast, the nanotubular phases of noblemetals with no covalency are formed by the assistance of soild or supra-molecular core and sheath templates. The solid templating studies demonstrated the deposition of Au, Pt and Pd nanotubes on the outer surface of Ag nanorods as a sheath template as well as those on the inner surface of nanoporous polycarbonate or anodic aluminum oxide films as a sheath template. The use of triple-branched polyoxyethylene (PEO)-based nonionic surfactant LCs as a core template successfully leads to the growth of Pt, Pd, and Ag nanotubes with an outer diameter of as small as 6–7 nm. In this system, the thin-walled nanotubular structure is inherited from the 2D metal clusters induced through the specific effect of triple PEO chains of surfactant molecules, coupled with their spatially controlled growth within the aqueous shells of cylindrical micelles. A few examples are also referred to for the applications of noble-metal nanotubes as a catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells or biphenyl formation reaction.