A review of structural and electronic properties of graphyne-based nanotubes

Graphyne-based nanotubes are cylindrical structures made up of a single layer of graphyne that has been rolled into a tube. These one-dimensional structures are constructed from carbon atoms with both sp and sp² hybridization. The common graphene-based carbon nanotubes, and graphyne-based nanotubes including α-, β-, γ-, α2-, 6,6,12-, and δ-graphyne nanotubes are introduced. The atomic structures and electronic characteristics of these tubes are reviewed. The electronic band structures and density of states calculated by density functional theory are presented. The nanotubes with different types and chiralities display either metallic or semiconducting characteristics. The variety of structures and electronic properties of these nanotubes make them extremely hopeful for applications, especially in nanoelectronic devices such as field emission transistors, sensors, nanoelectromechanical systems, super capacitors, energy and data storage devices.