Preparation of Modified Lipid Molecular Self-assembly Microtubule Template and Its Metallization

Lipid microtubules are prepared with self-assembly method from diacetylenic glycerol phosphatidylhydroxyethanol,a modified lipid molecule.Metallic microtubules are obtained on the template of these lipid tubules by electroless plating of Ni.SEM and TEM examination shows that there is a high yield of microtubules in the self-assembly from the lipid molecules,and they present a wrapped helical structure with a high aspect ratio.Their average length is 380 μm,and the average diameter is 110 nm.The metallized microtubules have a fine plating surface with an average length of 120 μm and an average diameter of 210 nm.XRD analysis indicates that the coated Ni on the microtubule template is in a non-crystalline state.Metallized microtubules can be used as a vehicle to encapsulate marine antifouling agents or drugs in its lumen to control their release.Hence,metallized microtubules can be pontential to be developed for novel micro-and nano-meter functional materials.