Synthesis of cube-rod-tube triblock asymmetric nanostructures for enhanced heterogeneous catalysis.

A triblock asymmetric nanostructure composed of a core–shell Fe2O3@SiO2 cube as the head, SiO2 rod as the body and SiO2 tube as the tail is fabricated via a sequential growth process combining solution–liquid–solid and droplet soft templating mechanisms, which can be used as a nano stir bar with accelerated catalytic performance.