  Atomic models of zigzag (n, 0)- and armchair (n,n)-like NiCl2 nanotubes (n =
4 - 29) formed by rolling (100) single layers of the bulk NiCl2 which
crystallizes in the CdCl2-type structure, are constructed and their electronic
properties and bond indices are investigated using the tight-binding band
theory. The calculations performed show that all the considered nanotubes in
non-magnetic state are uniformly metallic-like. The density of states at the
Fermi level contains a considerable contribution from Ni3d states, its value
depends on the atomic configuration and diameter of the tubes. The Ni-Cl
covalent bonds were found in NiCl2 tubes, whereas Ni-Ni and Cl-Cl covalent
interactions are almost absent. According our estimations, the zigzag (n,
0)-like NiCl2 nanotubes are more energetically favorable.
