Gallium-assisted growth of flute-like MgO nanotubes, Ga2O3-filled MgO nanotubes, and MgO/Ga2O3co-axial nanotubes

Flute-like MgO nanotubes were successfully synthesized via a simple thermal evaporation method by using Mg(3)N(2) and Ga(2)O(3) as the source materials. The nanotubes are single-crystal cubic MgO, and have [100] orientation. In contrast to conventional nanotubes with intact walls, the flute-like MgO nanotubes possess a unique porous structure. On the nanotubes there are series of holes aligned along the nanotube length with approximate equidistance. Ga(2)O(3)-filled MgO nanotubes and MgO/Ga(2)O(3) co-axial nanotubes were also found in the product. Further investigation confirms that the inner beta-Ga(2)O(3) has an epitaxial growth relation with the outer MgO nanotube due to their perfect lattice matching. A gallium-assisted growth mechanism was proposed to interpret the growth of the flute-like MgO nanotubes. The thermal expansion and evaporation of the filled liquid gallium in MgO nanotubes are likely responsible for the formation of the hole structures on the side walls.