Controlled transformation of carbon coating on silicon nanochains into nanotubes of carbon by Joule heating

A method of carbon coating of silicon nanochains is developed for the controlled transformation of silicon nanochains into nanotubes of carbon: the surface of silicon nanochains is coated with hexadecanoic acid by annealing after plasma cleaning. Individual silicon nanochains are heated by applying an electric current using a micro-manipulator for the transformation. The transformation is observed in situ by means of transmission electron microscopy.