In situ modifying of carbon tube-in-tube nanostructures with highly active Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles.

A novel in situ method based on a liquid membrane templated self-assembly process is employed to modify carbon tube-in-tube nanostructures (TTCNTs) with Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles. The as-obtained Fe(2)O(3) modified TTCNTs (Fe(2)O(3)/TTCNTs) nanocomposites are well constructed and the Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles are well dispersed and decorated on the outer, inner and intramolecular surfaces of TTCNTs. In addition, the Fe(2)O(3)/TTCNTs nanocomposites are employed as catalysts for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH(3) and show high SCR catalytic activity, indicating that the novel multiple intramolecular channels and unique surface chemistry of the TTCNTs should play an important role in improving the properties of TTCNTs.