Functionalization of semi-terminated silica nanotubes

The semi-terminated silica nanotubes with 80–100 nm porous diameter were prepared with Al/Al₂O₃ (AAO) template by the sol-gel method, and then were functionalized by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The functionalized silica nanotubes were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR and ²⁹Si-NMR). The results indicated that APTES was successfully functionalized onto the internal surface and the mouth of the silica nanotubes. It would provide the material base for silica nanotubes corking and delivery drug.