Direct synthesis of indium nanotubes from indium metal source

Metallic indium (In) nanotubes were prepared by direct thermal evaporation of an In metal source. In metal was heated in an Ar atmosphere at a high temperature, and after certain period of heating the system was allowed to cool to room temperature in normal atmosphere during which the nanotubes were formed. Growth of the nanotubes was initiated by the catalytic effect of Au, whereas the low melting point of the In metal was found to be responsible for the formation of the hollow core of the nanotubes. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray