Bottom-up growth of inorganic 1D nanomaterials with atomic precision

Atomically precise bottom–up synthesis of one–dimensional (1D) inorganic nanomaterials is a frontier challenge, as their electronic and quantum properties are highly sensitive to width, edge structure, and chirality. Graphene nanoribbons and carbon nanotubes have achieved atomic precision through molecular design, but inorganic materials lack such programmability and intrinsically favour 3D growth, demanding fundamentally different strategies for 1D confinement. In this Review, we summarize recent breakthroughs in the atomically precise synthesis of inorganic 1D nanostructures, including nanotube‑confined atomic wires, transition metal dichalcogenide nanoribbons, single‑metal‑atom chains templated by grain boundaries in 2D crystals, and monoelemental systems. We organize the field into three paradigms: external template confinement, catalyst‑guided anisotropic growth, and internal defect templating. We compare these strategies with respect to their strengths and limitations in width control, edge quality, scalability, and integration potential. Finally, we outline the critical challenges in scalable fabrication, metrology, and integration with technological application. This review aims to offer an outlook on how atomically precise 1D nanomaterials could reshape the future of semiconductor devices beyond silicon.