Single Walled BiI3 Nanotubes Encapsulated within Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Inorganic nanotubes are morphological counterparts of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Yet, only graphene-like BN layer has been readily organized into single walled nanotubes so far. In this study, we present a simple route to obtain inorganic single walled nanotubes - a novel ultrathin morphology for bismuth iodide (BiI3), embedded within CNTs. The synthesis involves the capillary filling of BiI3 into CNT, which acts as a nanotemplate, by annealing the BiI3-CNT mixture above the melting point of BiI3. Aberration corrected scanning/transmission electron microscopy is used in characterizing the novel morphology of BiI3. A critical diameter which enables the formation of BiI3 nanotubes, against BiI3 nanorods is identified. The relative stability of these phases is investigated with the density functional theory calculations. Remarkably, the calculations reveal that the single walled BiI3 nanotubes are semiconductors with a direct band gap, which remain stable even without the host CNTs.

Enter the Tubes: Carbon Nanotube Endohedral Catalysis

“…This is due to the decrease of Van der Waals and the increase of tubular tension as the diameter is reduced. This threshold can decrease up to 3 nm for BiI3 nanotubes [49].…”

Structure of inorganic nanocrystals confined within carbon nanotubes

“…6(a) shows a HRTEM image of a PbI 2 -NT@MWCNTs as prepared by high temperature filling. A large variety of materials have been shown to also coat the inner cavities of MWCNT forming single-layered inorganic nanotubes (SLINTs), namely PbI 2 [57,58], ZnI 2 [58,59], CeCl 3 [59], CeI 3 [59], TbCl 3 [59], GdCl 3 [29], SmCl 3 [29], BiI 3 [60], GdI 3 [61] and BiCl 3 [62]. The role that the temperature of treatment has on the grown nanostructures was investigated using ZnI 2 and MWCNTs [59].…”

“…Wynn et al also predicted the formation of energetically favorable nanowires of GeTe which structure is clearly ruled by the radius of the carbon nanotubes [64]. In the case of BiI 3 , with a layered structure, a preferential formation of SLINTs against that of nanorods is observed when increasing the CNTs diameter [60]. The inorganic structural variations of the nanocrystals mentioned above are assigned to the influence of the inner diameter of the hosts, because according to theoretical calculations the chemical interaction and charge transfer between the crystals and the hosting nanotubes are thought to be negligible.…”

Loading and Release of Anti -Cancer Drugs Using Simultaneous pH and Temperature Responsive Nanohybrid

“…Upon reaching the target site, the drug is released by the nanotube, and the encapsulating material erodes and disappears. The drug encapsulated inside the nanotube should be proportional to the diameter and size of the nanotube (29,30). Despite their speci c inherent properties, concerns have transpired apropos the toxicity of CNTs, as several studies have manifested that pristine nanotubes could instigate biological destruction.…”