Oxide Nanotube and Process for Production Thereof

Assignee National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Tokyo, JP) 

Spiral shaped hollow nanofibers were formed from the reaction of p-aminophenyl-p-D-glucopyranoside and p-dodecanoylaminophenyl-p-o-glucopyranoside with excess tetraethoxysilane. The diameter distributions of these tubes ranged from 1 to 2 nm and from 3 to 7 nm. Metal oxide nanotubes derived from this process displayed excellent hydrogen adsorption and storage capacity for potential use in hydrogen-powered vehicles. 

The Step 1 product (250 mg) was dissolved in 20 ml of THF, treated with lauroyl chloride (300 mg) and triethylamine (1.0 g), and refluxed for 5 hours. The solution was filtered to remove solids, and the filtrate was concentrated under vacuum. The residue was purified using silica gel chromatography with methanol/CCLH, 1 1, and the product was isolated in 80% yield. 

Three milhgrams apiece of the Step 1 and Step 2 products were dissolved in 10 ml of water and 1 ml of methanol by heating the solution to 70°C. This mixture was then treated with tetraethoxysUane (20 mg) followed by benzylamine (6 mg). A gel that formed during gradual cooling of the mixture stood uninterrupted at ambient temperature for seven days. The sample was then sintered in a nitrogen gas atmosphere first for two hours at 200°C and then for four hours at 500°C, and metal oxide nanotubes were isolated. 

The metal oxide nanotubes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, which indicated the presence of a double hehx. 

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Title Metal Oxide Nanotube and Process for Production Thereof... 

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