Recent Advances in Synthesis and Applications of Inorganic Single‐walled Nanotubes

Abstract Inorganic single‐walled nanotubes (SWNTs) play an important role in various fields because of their unique physical and chemical properties. A variety of inorganic SWNTs have been synthesized, and their formation mechanisms have been well studied, which are mainly divided into two parts: SWNTs through layered structures and SWNTs through non‐layered structures. Among them, the exploration of traditional boron nitride and transition metal disulfide compounds SWNTs is a little difficult, and a large number of high‐temperature gas‐phase reactions are still dominated by the products of multi‐wall nanotubes. In contrast, high‐quality pure monodisperse SWNTs can be produced under simpler and milder conditions in the solution phase. This review mainly focuses on the synthesis, mechanism, and application of these nanotubes, which have been used to encapsulate or support nanoparticles or single atoms to prepare high‐performance catalysts. This review can provide new viewpoints on the design and applications of inorganic SWNTs.