Comments on ‘Formation and characterization of nanotubes of La(OH)₃obtained using porous alumina membranes’

New experimental evidence concerning the formation of La(OH)3 nanowires on anodic alumina membranes by cathodic polarization in 0.05 M lanthanum nitrate solution is provided to further support the conclusions previously reached in our work (Bocchetta et al 2007 Electrochem. Commun. 9 683-8) and recently criticized by González-Rovira et al (Nanotechnology 2008 19 495305). Some unconvincing aspects of the paper of González-Rovira et al, according to which the same electrochemical process should lead to the formation of hydroxycarbonate nanotubes, are also discussed.