Abstract
The single-walled nanotube (SWNT) is an interesting nanostructure for fundamental research and potential applications. However, very few inorganic SWNTs are available to date due to the lack of efficient fabrication methods. Here we synthesize four types of SWNT: sulfide; hydroxide; phosphate; and polyoxometalate. Each type of SWNT possesses essentially uniform diameters. Detailed studies illustrate that the formation of SWNTs is initiated by the self-coiling of the corresponding ultrathin nanostructure embryo/building blocks on the base of weak interactions between them, which is not limited to specific compounds or crystal structures. The interactions between building blocks can be modulated by varying the solvents used, thus multi-walled tubes can also be obtained. Our results reveal that the generalized synthesis of inorganic SWNTs can be achieved by the self-coiling of ultrathin building blocks under the proper weak interactions.
Highlights
The single-walled nanotube (SWNT) is an interesting nanostructure for fundamental research and potential applications
We demonstrate the generalized synthesis of inorganic SWNTs: sulfide; hydroxide; phosphate; and polyoxometalate (POM)
Detailed studies illustrate that the formation of SWNTs is initiated by the self-coiling of ultrathin building blocks, which is not limited to specific compounds or crystal structures
Summary
The single-walled nanotube (SWNT) is an interesting nanostructure for fundamental research and potential applications. Detailed studies illustrate that the formation of SWNTs is initiated by the self-coiling of the corresponding ultrathin nanostructure embryo/building blocks on the base of weak interactions between them, which is not limited to specific compounds or crystal structures. Our results reveal that the generalized synthesis of inorganic SWNTs can be achieved by the self-coiling of ultrathin building blocks under the proper weak interactions. Detailed studies illustrate that the formation of SWNTs is initiated by the self-coiling of ultrathin building blocks, which is not limited to specific compounds or crystal structures. When the size of the inorganics decrease to the molecular scale, weak interactions that can overcome their inherent rigidities play a more important role in their selfassembly process, and as a result more structure flexibility may appear[18], which provides the possibility of the exploration of inorganic SWNTs in a manner like organic-based SWNTs. Yet there are several different formation mechanisms of different kinds of inorganic tubular structures, despite their synthesis conditions and thickness of wall. The results demonstrate that ultrathin structures lead to flexibility, and SWNTs could be formed under proper interactions
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