Diffusion-facilitated fabrication of gold-decorated Zn₂SiO ₄ nanotubes by a one-step solid-state reaction

(Figure Presented) A ZnO-Au-SiO₂ sandwich nanowire structure has been used to fabricate Zn₂SiO₄ nanotubes with inlaid gold nanocrystallites on the outer surface. The thin gold interlayer not only acts as a precursor for the gold nanocrystallites, but also facilitates the Kirkendall voids at the ZnO-SiO₂ interface and then accelerates the formation of the Zn₂SiO₄ nanotubes (see picture).