Springer Inorganic and Metallic Nanotubular Materials: Recent Technologies and Applications: 117 (Topics in Applied Physics, 117)

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. From the Back Cover This book describes the synthesis, characterization and applications of inorganic and metallic nanotubular materials. It cover a wide variety of nanotubular materials excluding carbon nanotubes, ranging from metal oxides, sulfides and nitrides such as titanium oxide, tungsten sulfide, and boron nitride, as well as platinum and other noble-metals to unique nanotubes consisting of water, graphene or fullerene. Based on their structural and compositional characteristics, these nanotubular materials are of importance for their potential applications in electronic devices, photocatalysts, dye-sensitized solar cells, nanothermometers, electrodes for fuel cells and batteries, sensors, and reinforcing fillers for plastics, among others. Such materials are also having a great impact on future developments, including renewable-energy sources as well as highly efficient energy-conversion and energy-saving technologies. This book will be of particular interest to experts in the fields of nanotechnology, material science and inorganic and solid-state chemistry, as well as graduate students in chemistry and physics. About the Author Tsuyoshi Kijima is professor at the Department of Applied Chemistry of the Miyazaki University, Japan. He studied applied chemistry at the Kyushu University and gained his PhD in 1975 on physical properties of polymers under high pressure. After working as a research associate at the Kumamoto University, he joined National Institute for Inorganic Materials in 1975 and worked in the field of inorganic layered materials synthesis as well as intercalation chemistry. In 1990 he moved to the Miyazaki University where he has since worked in the field of the template synthesis of nano- and mesoporous materials. Especially In 2002-2007 he devoted as a CREST project leader on the development and applications of nanotubular and related platinum, polymer and carbon nanomaterials.