Nanotubes and nanowires

Synthesis and characterization of nanotubes and nanowires constitute an imp ortant part of nanoscience since these materials are essential building uni ts for several devices. We have prepared aligned carbon nanotube bundles an d Y-junction nanotubes by the pyrolysis of appropriate organic precursors. The aligned bundles are useful for field emission display while the Y-junct ion nanotubes are likely to be useful as nanochips since they exhibit diode properties at the junction. By making use of carbon nanotubes, nanowires o f metals, metal oxides and GaN have been obtained. Both the oxide and GaN n anowires are single crystalline. Gold nanowires exhibit plasmon bands varyi ng markedly with the aspect ratio. GaN nanowires show excellent photolumine scence characteristics. It has been possible to synthesise nanotubes and na nowires of metal chalcogenides by employing different strategies.