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Capturing atomic wetting dynamics in real time
George T Tebbutt1, Christopher S Allen1,2, Anna Fabijańska3
1Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Nature Communications
|November 28, 2025
Summary
Metallic nanowire growth in carbon nanotubes is a two-stage process: curvature-driven nucleation and capillary-driven elongation. This study reveals critical wetting dynamics for fabricating advanced nanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Science
Background:
- Atomic-scale wetting is crucial for nanoscale material formation but poorly understood under confinement.
- Classical capillarity models fail to explain phenomena like metallic nanowire growth within carbon nanotubes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of metallic nanowire formation within multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).
- To investigate the role of nanoscale wetting and phase transitions in vapour-phase nanowire growth.
Main Methods:
- In situ atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy (ARTEM) was employed to observe nanowire growth.
- A deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed to classify SnxO phase transitions (liquid, solid, intermediate).
Main Results:
- Nanowire formation follows a two-stage mechanism: curvature-driven nucleation and capillary-driven elongation.
- Growth necessitates a wetting interface (contact angle <90°) between liquid SnxO and the nanotube wall.
- Direct observation captured thermally induced nanowire growth dynamics within CNTs.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes a predictive framework for vapour-phase nanowire encapsulation.
- It links nanoscale wetting dynamics to the fabrication of advanced nanomaterials, challenging existing models like Kelvin and Lucas-Washburn.
