Shaping single-walled metal oxide nanotubes from precursors of controlled curvature

We demonstrate new molecular-level concepts for constructing nanoscopic metal oxide objects. First, the diameters of metal oxide nanotubes are shaped with angstrom-level precision by controlling the shape of nanometer-scale precursors. Second, we measure (at the molecular level) the subtle relationships between precursor shape and structure and final nanotube curvature. Anionic ligands are used to exert fine control over precursor shapes, allowing assembly into nanotubes whose diameters relate directly to the curvatures of the 'shaped' precursors.