Abstract
The synthesis of the (rocksalt phase) single-crystal square-like cross-sectional MgS nanotubes via a thermal reaction process was reported for the first time in the family of II-VI sulfide semiconductors, which enriches the wide spectrum of diverse inorganic nanotubular structures. As-grown MgS nanotubes are structurally uniform single-crystals; an individual faceted tube is enclosed by four {020} crystal planes and grows along the [001] orientation. The MgS nanotubes exhibited efficient hydrogen-storage capacity of similar to 2.2 wt% at room temperature under hydrogen pressure of 33.6 atm and one intensive cathodoluminescence emission band centered at similar to 688 nm. The new concept established here will be very helpful in developing other types of Mg-based material nanotubes with high a hydrogen-storage capacity. Moreover, the MgS nanotubes' cavity could be filled with different semiconducting materials with various band gaps to give interesting electrical and optical nanodevices.