Fabrication of CdO nanotubes via simple thermal evaporation

CdO nanotubes (NTs) with a mean diameter of 50 nm have been fabricated by the simple thermal evaporation of Cd powder without using any catalyst or template. The growth mechanism of CdO NTs is discussed. It is suggested that the CdO NTs are formed by the sublimation of the Cd cores of the Cd/CdO core/ shell nanocables. The direct and indirect band gaps of the CdO NTs are determined to be 2.85 eV and 2.05 eV, respectively. This type of high surface area structural CdO NTs could find promising applications in catalysis. gas sensors, nano-optics, and active material encapsulation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.