Self-assembled chiral nanofibers from ultrathin low-dimensional nanomaterials

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Feb 4;137(4):1565-71. doi: 10.1021/ja511471b. Epub 2015 Jan 26.

Abstract

Despite many developed methods, it still remains a challenge to provide a simple and general strategy for the controlled preparation of chiral nanostructures. Here we report a facile and universal approach for the high-yield and scalable preparation of chiral nanofibers based on the self-assembly of various ultrathin one-dimensional and two-dimensional nanomaterials in vigorously stirred polymeric solutions. The obtained chiral nanofibers can be further transformed to same-handed chiral nanorings. As a proof-of-concept application, chiral MoS(2) and multiwalled carbon nanotube nanofibers were used as promising active layers for flexible nonvolatile data storage devices. Impressively, the chiral MoS(2) nanofiber-based memory device presents a typical nonvolatile flash memory effect with excellent reproducibility and good stability. Our method offers a general route for the preparation of various functional chiral nanostructures that might have wide applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Disulfides / chemistry*
  • Molybdenum / chemistry*
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Nanofibers / ultrastructure*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Disulfides
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Molybdenum
  • molybdenum disulfide