Inorganic nanotube
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An inorganic nanotube is a cylindrical molecule often composed of metal oxides, and morphologically similar to a carbon nanotube. Inorganic nanotubes have been observed to occur naturally in some mineral deposits [1].
Although Linus Pauling mentioned the possibility of curved layers in minerals as early as 1930[2], synthetic inorganic nanotubes did not appear until Reshef Tenne et al. reported the synthesis of nanotubes composed of tungsten disulfide in 1992[3]. Inorganic nanotubes have been observed to occur naturally in some mineral deposits [4].
In the intervening years, nanotubes have been synthesised of many other inorganic materials, such as vanadium oxide and manganese oxide, and are being researched for such applications as redox catalysts and cathode materials for batteries.
Inorganic nanotubes are heavier than carbon nanotubes and not as strong under tensile stress, but they are particularly strong under compression, leading to potential applications in impact resistant applications such as bullet proof vests.
More recently, inorganic nanotubes have been proposed constructed from main group elements, boron nitride (borazine) being a prime contender. Being as borazine is isoelectronic with benzene, the substance could logically form sheets, fullerene analogs and nanotube analogs.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Harris, P.F.J. Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures, Cambridge University Press,2002, 213-232.
- ^ Pauling, L. PNAS 1930, 16, 578.
- ^ Tenne, R.; Margulis, L.; Genut, M.; Hodes, G. Nature, 1992, 360, 444.
- ^ Harris, P.F.J. Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures, Cambridge University Press,2002, 213-232.
