Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss near-edge structure (EELNES) revealed the presence of mostly nonoxidised silicon tubular structures among the reaction products synthesized by gas phase condensation technique. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) showed a hexagonal atomic arrangement for straight ones. The presence of Y-, T-branched and coiled tubular structure, like in carbon nanotubes, suggests a partially sp(2) hybridization. Reflection energy loss measurements confirmed the presence of thin tubular structures and gave hint of sp(3) bonds. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.