Synthesis of coaxial nanocables of single-walled carbon nanotubes sheathed with amorphous silicon oxide

Coaxial nanocables of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) sheathed with amorphous silicon oxide were directly synthesized by a hydrogen arc discharge method. As-prepared nanocables are usually tens of microns in length and about 10–30 nm in diameter. The sheath of the nanocables is amorphous silicon oxide, while the core is high quality SWCNTs. Each cylinder-shaped nanocable contained one to several SWCNTs. The growth mechanism of the nanocables is proposed. These SWCNT/amorphous silicon oxide nanocables may have potential applications in field effect transistors and other related nanodevices.