Study of bismuth nanoparticles and nanotubes obtained by microwave heating

Microwave synthesis of bismuth nanotubes, as an easier and less expensive method to produce Bi nanotubes, is reported. The nanotubes were prepared by heating Bi powder in vacuum during 5, 10, and 15 min in a conventional microwave oven of 2.45 GHz and 800 W. The resulting Bi nanotubes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Computer simulation software was used to predict stable configurations for a (6,6) Bi nanotube to study the ground energy state and electronic properties of this configuration.