Layer-by-Layer Nanotube Template Synthesis

摘要

There is increasing interest in template-synthesized nanotubes. Recent examples include templated carbon nanotubes for electrochemical energy production, phospholipid nanotubes for biochip and biosensor applications, silica nanotubes for biocatalysis and biorecognition, and nanotube-containing membranes for bioseparations. An important feature of the template synthesis method for all of these applications is the ability to control the dimensions of the nanotubes obtained. The outside diameter of the nanotubes is determined by the diameter of the pores in the template, and the length of the nanotubes is determined by the thickness of the template. It is, however, more difficult to control the inside diameter (i.d.), or correspondingly the wall thickness, of template-synthesized nanotubes, and, for some applications, precisely controlling the i.d. is absolutely essential. Nanotube membranes for bioseparations are a good example, because it has been shown that the transport selectivity observed is profoundly influenced by nanotube i.d.