Degradation mechanism and way of surface protection of nickel nanostructures

Stability of nanomaterials during their life cycle is a crucial problem of modern nanoscience. In order to understand the processes, which are going in the nanostructures, the comprehensive study of the influence of media with different acidity on the nickel nanotubes morphology and structure was carried out. On the base of the analysis of nanotubes characteristics, sequential evolution of degradation stages involving the surface passivation, formation of point defects, pitting and destruction of nanotubes walls was determined. The results are of importance for the wide range of potential nickel nanostructures applications, which are associated with their using in real-life conditions. To improve Ni nanostructures stability, the possible ways of surface protections from the aggressive environment effect and the routes of nanostructures covering with gold, organosilicon compounds and polymer coatings were considered. Demonstrated approaches for nanostructures covering provide an opportunity of surface functionalization for attaching of different molecules. It is useful for targeted delivery of drugs and genes, biodetection, bioseparation and catalysis application.