Abstract
Metal oxide aluminosilicate and aluminogermanate nanotubes, called imogolite nanotubes, are custom made nanotubes with controlled diameter, morphology and organization. These nanotubes undergo major structural changes at high temperatures. Here, we report a complete analysis of the structural transformation of single and double-walled aluminogermanate nanotubes, organized or not in bundles, up to 800 • C. Complementary X-ray scattering and spectroscopy experiments were performed. The evolution of both Al and Ge atoms coordination during the transformation process was studied in-situ. Quantitative analysis of X-ray absorption spectra reveals that the dehydroxylation of nanotubes leads to intermediate stages of 'metaimogolite', which differ in the coordination of the aluminium atoms. A mechanism explaining the major structural reorganization is proposed based on atomic jump processes.