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Teng et al. Microstructures 2023;3:2023019 Microstructures
DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2023.07

Review Open Access

Filled carbon-nanotube heterostructures: from

synthesis to application

1
1,#
Yu Teng 1,2,# , Jing Li , Jian Yao , Lixing Kang 1 , Qingwen Li 1
1
Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123,
Jiangsu, China.
2
School of Nano Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China.
#
Authors contributed equally.
Correspondence to: Prof. Lixing Kang, Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China. E-mail: lxkang2013@sinano.ac.cn; Prof. Qingwen Li, Advanced Materials
Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China. E-mail:
qwli2007@sinano.ac.cn
How to cite this article: Teng Y, Li J, Yao J, Kang L, Li Q. Filled carbon-nanotube heterostructures: from synthesis to application.
Microstructures 2023;3:2023019. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/microstructures.2023.07
Received: 2 Feb 2023 First Decision: 14 Mar 2023 Revised: 20 Mar 2023 Accepted: 23 Mar 2023 Published: 3 Apr 2023

Academic Editor: Yang Ren Copy Editor: Fangling Lan Production Editor: Fangling Lan

Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a one-dimensional (1D) hollow tubular structure formed by graphene curling with
remarkable electronic, optical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Except for the applications based on their
intrinsic properties, such as electronic devices, THz sensors, and conductive fiber, CNTs can also act as nano-
vessels for nano-chemical reactions and hosts for encapsulating various materials to form heterostructures. In this
review, we have summarized the research status on filled carbon-nanotube heterostructures from four aspects:
synthesis, morphological and electronic structure analysis, potential applications, and perspective. We begin with
an overview of the filling methods and mechanisms of the 1D heterostructures. Following that, we discuss their
properties in terms of morphological and electronic structure. The burgeoning applications of 1D heterostructures
in nano-electronic, energy, storage, catalysis, and other fields are then thoroughly overviewed. Finally, we offer a
brief perspective on the possible opportunities and challenges of filled CNTs heterostructures.

Keywords: Filled carbon nanotubes heterostructures, confinement effect, morphological structure, electronic
structure, applications

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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