Nanotubes from Misfit Layered Compounds: A New Family of Materials with Low Dimensionality

Nanotubes that are formed from layered materials have emerged to be exciting one-dimensional materials in the last two decades due to their remarkable structures and properties. Misfit layered compounds (MLC) can be produced from alternating assemblies of two different molecular slabs with different periodicities with the general formula [(MX)1+x]m[TX2]n (or more simply MS-TS2), where M is Sn, Pb, Bi, Sb, rare earths, T is Sn, Nb, Ta, Ti, V, Cr, and so on, and X is S, Se. The presence of misfit stresses between adjacent layers in MLC provides a driving force for curling of the layers that acts in addition to the elimination of dangling bonds. The combination of these two independent forces leads to the synthesis of misfit layered nanotubes, which are newcomers to the broad field of one-dimensional nanostructures and nanotubes. The synthesis, characterization, and microscopic details of misfit layered nanotubes are discussed, and directions for future research are presented.