Electrochemical synthesis of lithium nanotubes from an ionic liquid

In this paper we present the first results on the template-assisted synthesis of lithium nanotubes from the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Py1,4] TFSA). Lithium was electrochemically deposited from a 0.5 mol kg− 1 LiTFSA in [Py1,4] TFSA solution inside the pores of a copper-sputtered polycarbonate membrane. Afterwards the membrane was dissolved with THF and the samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show the formation of partly free standing lithium nanotubes which form nanowires with increasing deposition time.