Self-Assembly of Subnanometer-Diameter Single-Wall MoS2 Nanotubes

We report on the synthesis, structure, and self-assembly of single-wall subnanometer-diameter molybdenum disulfide tubes. The nanotubes are up to hundreds of micrometers long and display diverse self-assembly properties on different length scales, ranging from twisted bundles to regularly shaped ``furry'' forms. The bundles, which contain interstitial iodine, can be readily disassembled into individual molybdenum disulfide nanotubes. The synthesis was performed using a novel type of catalyzed transport reaction including C₆₀ as a growth promoter.