A novel method to fabricate silica nanotubes based on phase separation effect

Silica nanotubes were fabricated via single-nozzle electrospinning based on phase separation effect. TEM and SEM results showed that the diameter of silica nanotubes ranged from 150 nm to 350 nm. The diameter and wall thickness of silica nanotubes could be tuned by different molar ratios of H2O to tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Based on phase separation effect, a mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of the tubes. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of these silica nanotubes were also discussed.