Wet spinning imogolite nanotube fibres: an process study.

Imogolite nanotubes (INTs) form transparent aqueous liquid-crystalline solutions, with strong birefringence and X-ray scattering power. They provide an ideal model system for studying the assembly of one-dimensional nanomaterials into fibres, as well as offering interesting properties in their own right. Here, polarised optical microscopy is used to study the wet spinning of pure INTs into fibres, illustrating the influence of process variables during extrusion, coagulation, washing and drying on both structure and mechanical properties.

Continuous Binder-Free Fibers of Pure Imogolite Nanotubes.

Imogolite nanotubes (INTs) display a range of useful properties and provide an ideal material system to study the assembly of nanomaterials into macroscopic fibers. A method of wet spinning pure, binder-free imogolite fibers has been developed using double-walled germanium imogolite nanotubes. The nanotube aspect ratio can be controlled during the initial synthesis and is critical to the spinning process.