Electrochemical formation of novel nanowires and their dynamic effects

Novel and uniform beta-Sn nanowires surrounded by graphitic material (fully filled tubes; 40-50% of the overall material, length less than or equal to 2 mu m; less than or equal to 100 nm o.d.) are produced by passage of a current between graphite rods immersed in molten mixtures of LiCl and SnCl2 under argon at 600 degrees C. Prolonged electron beam irradiation (under HRTEM) of the nanowires leads to axial growth, re-orientations and allied dynamic transformations. The technique may be applied to other soft metals in order to generate filled nanotubes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.