Nanotube composites: novel SiO2 coated carbon nanotubesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TGA studies, SEM image of an MWNT/SiOx composite after TEM measurement, and mechanical properties. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b1/b109441f/

A novel route to nanocomposites consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) embedded in amorphous SiOx is reported; the material has been characterised by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS); for the first time, and based on our observations, we propose theoretical models accounting for stable SiOx/tube interfaces using density functional based tight binding (DFTB).