Rare Earth (Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) Oxide Nanotubes Templated by Dodecylsulfate Assemblies

Rare earth oxide nanotubes (see Figure) templated by dodecylsulfate assemblies have been fabricated for the first time by the homogeneous precipitation method using urea. Conversion into hollow nanotubes with an inner diameter of 3 nm and outer diameter of 6 nm can then be effected by anion exchange treatment to remove the surfactant.