Adsorption of small gas molecules onto boron nitride nanotubes and their Al-, Ga-, Cr- and Fe-doping derivatives for gas sensing, storage, and catalytic properties: Periodic DFT study

Abstract

Based on the toxic gases and their conversion to non-toxic gases on the high potentials doping derivatives of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), adsorption abilities of (5,5) and (10,0) BNNTs doped by selected dopants (Al, Ga, Cr and Fe) on small gas molecules was explored. Adsorption of small gas molecules, H2O, H2S, SO2, CO2, CO, NH3, N2O, and NO onto the pristine (5,5) and (10,0) BNNTs, their doping derivatives (Al-, Ga-, Cr- and Fe-doped (5,5) and (10,0) BNNTs) were investigated using periodic DFT method. Strong adsorptions of N2O (-4.26 eV) and SO2 (-2.56 eV) on the Cr-(5,5) and Cr-(10,0) BNNTs were found. Furthermore, the Cr-(5,5) and Cr-(10,0) BNNTs as the catalysts for N2O conversion to N2 and O2 were found. The Al- and Ga-(5,5) BNNTs, Al- and Ga-(10,0) BNNTs are suggested as the NO sensing materials and NH3 storage materials. All the suggested materials such Cr-(5,5), Cr-(10,0), Al-(5,5), Ga-(5,5), Al-(10,0) and Ga-(10,0) BNNTs could be experimentally tested for conversion, sensitivity, and storage of mentioned toxic gases in the future.