J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2015, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (6): 607-615.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2014.11.015

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Flexible One-Dimensional Nanostructures: A Review

Bin Yuan1, Ludovico Cademartiri1, 2, 3, *   

  1. 1 Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Sweeney Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA; 2 Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, 2220 Hoover Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA; 3 Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Ames, IA 50011, USA
  • Received:2014-09-27 Online:2015-06-20 Published:2015-07-23
  • Contact: *Corresponding author. Prof., Ph.D.; Tel.: +1 515 294 4549. E-mail address: lcademar@iastate.edu (L. Cademartiri).
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by Iowa State University of Science and Technology through startup funds.

Abstract: This review discusses the recent reports on one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures with unusual flexibility. We discuss the importance that flexibility could have in future applications of nanowires and other nanostructures, and detail the two main approaches that have been followed to this day to synthesize highly flexible 1D nanostructures. One approach is based on making crystals in which one or two dimensions of the structure are comparable in size with the unit cell. Such thinness has been shown to provide unusual flexibility. The other approach conjoins hard nanostructures with flexible joints.

Key words: Flexibility, One dimension, Nanostructures, Methodology