Synthesis and elastic properties of SiO2 nanotubes and helical nanosprings templated from organic amphiphilic self-assemblies through inorganic transcription

SiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) and helical nanosprings (NSs) with outer and inner diameters of 35±4 and 10±4 nm respectively were synthesized through inorganic transcription using organic amphiphilic self-assemblies as templates. Three-point bending tests were performed using an atomic force microscope (AFM), for the determination of the mechanical properties of the SiO₂ NTs and nanosprings. The resonance frequency was also determined using finite element method (FEM) calculations.