Inorganic and Metallic Nanotubular Materials

Thisbookiswrittenforthosescientistsandengineerswhowishtounderstand the synthesis, physical and chemical properties, and applications of inorganic and metallic nanotubular materials. The original version of this book, written inJapanese,coveredthoseoforganic,inorganic,andmetallicnanotubular- terials or almost all the other nanotubular materials than carbon nanotubes. This English version is concerned with only the chapters of inorganic and metallic nanotubular materials. In most industries worldwide, recent attention is unexceptionally focused on the research and development of highly functional new materials or te- nologies leading to energetically highly e?cient activities. Nanotubular - terials are one of the materials with such technological potentials because of their nano-sized unique structures available, for example, functionalization at their internal and external surfaces. In 1991, Dr. S. Iijima discovered a tu- lar material of carbon and named it carbon nanotubes. Since then, worldwide attention has been focused on the basic and functional properties of the novel materials and in more recent times the research phase has developed into an advanced stage based on strategic researches toward various applications. Carbon nanotubes have thus become synonymous with nanotubular materials and still more a symbol of nanotechnology because of their unique, valuable, and versatile properties.