Potential Technological Applications of Synthetic Geomimetic Nanotubes

Geomimetic chrysotile nanotubes have a high potential for nanotechnology applications. These synthetic inorganic nanotubes can be used for preparation of quantum wires with interesting electrical and optical properties. In fact they behave as host systems exhibiting a constant inner diameter less than 7 nm, a low tendency to form aggregates and large inter-channel separation preventing the interaction between individual guest filled nanomaterial acting as an unisosotropic confining structure. The chemical-physical properties of undoped and differently Fe doped geoinspired chrysotile synthetic nanotubes have been reviewed and like these characteristic features make synthetic chrysotile nanotubes excellent candidates to prepare innovative inorganic nanowires. Furthermore the possibility to synthesize undoped geomimetic chrysotile nanotubes with high reproducibility and crystallinity induces an absence of cytotoxicity making they safe for human health.