Synthesis of inorganic nanotubes

Abstract

Nanotubes constitute an exciting class of one-dimensional nanomaterials of which carbon nanotubes are recognized widely as materials of importance. The possibility of having inorganic nanotubes was recognized early in the 1990s, accompanied by the report of nanotubes of MoS₂ and WS₂. Since then, nanotubes of several inorganic materials have been prepared and characterized. While nanotubes of metal chalcogenides and oxides form a high proportion of the inorganic nanotubes investigated hither to, nanotubes of many other materials have also been prepared and characterized. Several synthetic strategies including both physical and chemical methods have been employed, of which the use of templates, precursors, and hydro- or solvothermal methods are prominent. In this article, we shall present a brief account of the present status of the synthesis of nanotubes of elemental materials as well as binary and complex metal oxides, chalcogenides, pnictides and carbides.