Aqueous dispersion state of amphiphilic hybrid aluminosilicate nanotubes

Imogolite is known to form bundles when dried; but these nanotubes can also be perfectly dispersed in water. When the silicon precursor in the synthesis of imogolite nanotubes is changed from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to methyltriethoxysilane (TEMS), internal wall hydroxyls are replaced with methyl groups. This chemical modification also happens to change their dispersion properties; the nanotubes then form small bundles in solution. In this work, we explore modifications of the synthesis procedure in order to enhance the dispersion of such hybrid nanotubes. The study focuses on the effects of [Al]/[Si] ratio, acid types, ethanol addition or choice of silicon precursor. Using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), infra-red spectroscopy (IR) and cryo-TEM, we show that it is possible to improve yield and length. However, none of the tested modifications allowed the prevention of bundle formation in solution.