Gold nanotubes with SiOx nanowires as sacrificial templates have been synthesized. SiOx nanowires were functionalized by 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane that generates a charged surface. The attachment of negatively charged An nanoparticles was followed. The coverage of An nanoparticles was initially less than 30%. Further coverage was achieved by the reduction of gold hydroxide to grow the continuous nanoshell on Au nanoparticles, which serve as nucleation sites. The final coverage of Au nanoshells on SiOx nanowires depends strongly on the relative amount of SiOx nanowires in gold hydroxide solution. Both transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope images revealed the formation of An nanotubes with the removal of SiOx nanowires by etching in a dilute HF solution. (c) 2006 American Vacuum Society.