Electrical property measurements of metallized flagella-templated silica nanotube networks

We present an improvement in the electrical properties of silica nanotubes by coating metal nanoparticles on their surfaces. The silica nanotubes are formed from bacterial flagella bio-templates having a tubular structure. Successive depositions of metal nanoparticles on the silica nanotubes are performed through easily functionalized silica surfaces. The results show uniform metal nanoparticle sizes and a high surface area coverage. By incorporating gold, palladium and iron oxide nanoparticles, the metallized silica nanotubes gain electrical properties with the potential to create unique nanoelectronic materials. In this study, the metallized silica nanotubes with network structures are aligned and their electrical behaviors are investigated in both dry and wet conditions. The metallized silica nanotubes are found to be electrically conductive along the network structures. The current-voltage characteristics show remarkably improved electrical conductivities depending on the type of metal nanoparticle loading and nanotube network concentration.