Synthetic NaMnPO4 microtubules

Rod-like particles of the analogues of mineral natrophilite (NaMnPO4) have been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. Micro-patterning of such crystals has been performed by a judicious choice of the reacting conditions, yielding open microtubules with internal diameters ranging from 10 to 30 μm. A plausible mechanism for the tubular microstructure formation has been proposed. The use of NaMnPO4 microtubules as host materials for metallic (e.g. gold) particles has been discussed.