Abstract: Binary noncrystalline alloy nanotubes M-B (M = Fe, Co, and Ni) were prepared using NaBH4 as the reducing agent for the reduction of transition metal ions located in the layer structure of lytropic liquid crystals of mixed nonionic-anionic surfactants. By adding P-, Co-, or Cu- containing compound during the preparation of Ni alloy samples, ternary noncrystalline alloy nanotube, i.e., NiPB, NiCuB, or NiCoB, can be obtained. It has been argued that the presence of the lytropic liquid crystals is the key for the formation of noncrystalline nanotubes. The reduction of transition metal ions located in the layer structure of the liquid crystal accompanied by the formation of H2 results in the cleavage and curl of the layer structure leading to the formation of nanotubes. The catalytic properties of some hydrogenation reactions have shown that the noncrystalline nanotubes are superior to the corresponding noncrystalline nanoparticles. Due to the well known unique prop-erties of the noncrystalline materials, it is expected that the noncrystalline nanotubes, as a new type of nanotubes, might possess exciting prospects for their future application.

Key words: noncrystalline alloy, nanotube, liquid crystal, catalytic hydrogenation