Gram-scale synthesis of silica nanotubes with controlled aspect ratios by templating of nickel-hydrazine complex nanorods.

We have developed a robust method for the synthesis of silica nanotubes with controlled aspect ratios on a large scale by templating against rod-like nanocrystals. Crystalline nanorods of a nickel-hydrazine complex are first formed in reverse micelles by surfactant capping on side facets, and subsequent silica coating and selective etching give rise to silica nanotubes of high uniformity and yield. The length of the silica nanotubes is tunable in the range 37-340 nm and can reach as long as micrometers. Control of the length is conveniently achieved by tuning the hydrazine/nickel ratio, which affects the growth kinetics of the nanocrystal templates. The inner diameter of the silica nanotubes can be adjusted in the range 10-20 nm by choosing different surfactants. This method is unique in utilizing reverse micelles as discrete nanoscale reactors for the growth of nanocrystals, allowing for precise control of the features of the nanotubes and opening up new opportunities in the synthesis of novel anisotropic nanomaterials, construction of nanodevices, and potential drug delivery applications.