New nanotube synthesis strategy--application of sodium nanotubes formed inside anodic aluminium oxide as a reactive template.

Formation of Na nanotubes inside the channels of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes has been achieved by decomposing NaH thermally on AAO. The as-produced material, Na@AAO, is applied as a reactive template to prepare other tubular materials. Reacting Na@AAO with gaseous C6Cl6 generates carbon nanotubes (ca. 250 nm, wall thickness of 20 nm, tube length of 60 microm) inside the AAO channels. Highly aligned bundles of nearly amorphous carbon nanotubes are isolated after AAO is removed.