The polymer possessing with planar structure can be activated and guided to encapsulate the inner space of SWNT and form a helix through van der Waals interaction and the π-π stacking effect between the polymer and the inner surface of SWNT. The SWNT size, the nanostructure and flexibility of polymer chain are all determine the final structures. The basic interaction between the polymer and the nanotubes is investigated and the condition and mechanism of the helix-forming are explained particularly. Hybrid polymers improve the ability of the helix formation. This study provides scientific basis for fabricating helical polymers encapsulated in SWNTs and eventually on their applications in various areas.

Molecular mechanics results show that a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) membrane can spontaneously assemble on the single-walled boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) in a scroll or helical manner, showing an interesting dependence on h-BN width.

A simple method of fabricating graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with closed edges by utilizing the spontaneous collapsing mechanism of few-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is demonstrated. The diameter of the tube that can be used to fabricate GNRs should be larger than a critical value, which is 16.27, 24.41 and 39.15 Å for single-, double- and triple-walled CNTs, respectively. The geometry of fabricated multi-layered GNRs consists of two highly strained bulbs on the two edges and a flat region with an interlayer distance of 3.4 Å. Defects at the initial tube wall affect the collapsing speed and GNR configuration. The encapsulated molecules slow the collapsing speed, and may even hinder the collapse of the tube.

Ceramic cutting tools have attracted more and more attention because of their excellent machinability. This paper reviews the characteristics of alumina and silicon nitride that two kinds of ceramic cutting tools. The current development and application situations of these two kinds of ceramic tools are summarized, and we put forward the main development direction of ceramic cutting tools in the future.

Novel scroll peapods are fabricated simply by utilizing the spontaneous scrolling mechanism of graphene onto fullerene string. The basic interaction between the graphene and the fullerene string is investigated, and the mechanism of the formation of the scroll peapod is explained in particular. The formation of the scroll peapod and its formation time are influenced by the combined effects of fullerene number, diameter and graphene size. It is also worth noting that narrow graphene nanoribbon wrapped onto a C₇₂₀ bean can form a particular helical peapod. Higher temperature slows the scrolling dynamics, and even hinders the formation of the scroll peapod. This study provides a scientific basis for producing scroll peapods simply, and eventually their applications in various areas.