Heteronanotubes: Challenges and Opportunities

The experimental synthesis of 1D van der Waals heterostructures, a class of materials in which different crystallized nanotubes are coaxially nested, was recently demonstrated. In this perspective, the current challenges in the chemical vapor deposition synthesis of this new structure are outlined, and the visions on its potential applications are presented. A particular emphasis is given to electronic devices that are built after modulating different shell-shell combinations in these heteronanotubes.