With physical properties that often may not be described by the transposition of physical laws from 3D space across to 2D or even 1D space, low-dimensional solids exhibit a high degree of anisotropy in the spatial distribution of their chemical bonds. This means that they can demonstrate new phenomena such as charge-density waves and can display nanoparticulate (0D), fibrous (1D) and lamellar (2D) morphologies. This text presents some of the most recent research into the synthesis and properties of these solids and covers: * Metal Oxide Nanoparticles * Inorganic Nanotubes and Nanowires * Biomedical Applications of Layered Double Hydroxides * Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures * Superconducting Borides Introducing topics such as novel layered superconductors, inorganic-DNA delivery systems and the chemistry and physics of inorganic nanotubes and nanosheets, this book discusses some of the most exciting concepts in this developing field. Additional volumes in the Inorganic Materials Book Series: Molecular Materials Functional Oxides Porous Materials Energy Materials All volumes are sold individually or as comprehensive 5 Volume Set.

Table of Contents:
Inorganic Materials Series Preface. Preface. List of Contributors. 1 Metal Oxide Nanoparticles (Alan V. Chadwick and Shelly L.P. Savin). 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Oxide Types; Point Defects and Electrical Conductivity. 1.3 Preparation of Nanoionic Materials. 1.4 Characterisation. 1.4.1 Determination of Particle Size and Dispersion. 1.4.2 Characterisation of Microstructure. 1.4.3 Transport Measurements. 1.5 Review of the Current Experimental Data and their Agreement with Theory. 1.5.1 Microstructure. 1.5.2 Transport. 1.5.3 Mechanical Properties. 1.5.4 Magnetic Properties. 1.6 Applications. 1.6.1 Gas Sensors. 1.6.2 Batteries. 1.6.3 Fuel Cells. 1.6.4 Catalysis and Adsorption. 1.6.5 Biomedical Applications of Magnetic Nanocrystalline Oxides. 1.7 Overview and Prospects. References. 2 Inorganic Nanotubes and Nanowires (C.N.R. Rao, S.R.C. Vivekchand and A. Govindaraj). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Inorganic Nanotubes. 2.2.1 Synthesis. 2.2.2 Functionalisation and Solubilisation. 2.2.3 Properties and Applications. 2.3 Nanowires. 2.3.1 Synthesis. 2.3.2 Self-Assembly and Functionalisation. 2.3.3 Properties and Applications. 2.4 Outlook. References. 3 Biomedical Applications of Layered Double Hydroxides (Jin-Ho Choy, Jae-Min Oh and Dae-Hwan Park). 3.1 Introduction. 3.1.1 Layered Nanohybrids. 3.1.2 Layered Nanomaterials. 3.2 Nanomaterials for Biological Applications. 3.2.1 Layered Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications. 3.2.2 Cellular Uptake Pathway of Drug-Inorganic Nanohybrids. 3.2.3 Targeting Effect of Drug-Inorganic Nanohybrids. 3.3 Nanomaterials for DNA Molecular Code System. 3.3.1 Genetic Molecular Code in DNA. 3.3.2 Chemically and Biologically Stabilised DNA in Layered Nanoparticles. 3.3.3 Invisible DNA Molecular Code System for Ubiquitous Application. 3.4 Conclusion. References. 4 Carbon Nanotubes and Related Structures (M. Angeles Herranz, Juan Luis Delgado and Nazario Martin). 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Endohedral Fullerenes. 4.2.1 Endohedral Metallofullerenes. 4.2.2 Surgery of Fullerenes. 4.3 Carbon Nanotubes. 4.3.1 Covalent Functionalisation. 4.3.2 Noncovalent Functionalisation. 4.3.3 Endohedral Functionalisation. 4.4 Other Carbon Nanotube Forms. 4.4.1 Cup-Stacked Carbon Nanotubes. 4.4.2 Carbon Nanohorns. 4.4.3 Carbon Nanobuds. 4.4.4 Carbon Nanotori. 4.5 Carbon Nano-Onions. 4.6 Graphenes. 4.7 Summary and Outlook. Acknowledgements. References. 5 Magnesium Diboride MgB2: A Simple Compound with Important Physical Properties (Michael Pissas). 5.1 Introduction. 5.1.1 Electronic Structure of MgB2. 5.1.2 Substitutions in MgB2 Superconductor. 5.2 Preparation of Pure and Alloyed MgB2. 5.2.1 Preparation of Pure and Alloyed Polycrystalline MgB2. 5.2.2 Single Crystal Growth of Pristine and Alloyed MgB2. 5.3 Physical Properties of MgB2. 5.3.1 Boron Isotope Effect. 5.3.2 Evidence for Two Energy Gaps in MgB2. 5.3.3 Dependence of the Superconducting Transition Temperature on Hydrostatic Pressure. 5.3.4 Resistivity Measurements in MgB2. 5.4 Flux Line Properties in Single Crystals of MgB2, Mg1-xAlxB2 and MgB2-xCx. 5.4.1 Type II Superconductors. 5.4.2 Flux Line Properties of Pristine MgB2. 5.4.3 Aluminium Substituted Single Crystals. 5.4.4 Carbon Substituted Single Crystals. 5.4.5 Two-Band Superconductivity and Possible Implications on the Vortex Matter Phase Diagram. 5.5 Conclusions. References. Index.