CNTs/mesostructured silica core-shell nanowires via interfacial surfactant templating

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/mesostructured silica core-shell nanowires with a carbon nanotube core and controllable highly ordered periodic mesoporous silica shell are syntheiszed via the interfacial surfactant template. The core-shell nanowires are characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and nitrogen sorption/desorption. The results indicate that the core-shell nanowires have highly ordered periodic mesoporous silica shell (space group p6mm), high BET surface area and narrow pore size distribution. Moreover, the morphology of core-shell nanowires can be controlled by the pH value. The core-shell nanowires have promising applications in biosensors, nanoprobes and energy storage due to their good dispersibility in polar solvents.