Formation of antimony nanotubes via a hydrothermal reduction process

摘要

Semimetallic antimony nanotubes were synthesized via a hydrothermal reduction method at 120 deg C using zinc powder as the reducing agent. X-ray powder diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray analysis showed that the as-prepared sample was elemental antimony. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy characterization indicated that the walls of the antimony nanotubes were constructed with (012) crystal planes of rhombohedral antimony. A possible mechanism for the formation of antimony nanotubes is proposed.