Synthesis and morphology of boron nitride nanotubes and nanohorns

Abstract

Boron nitride (BN) nanotubes have been synthesized by evaporating a mixture of boron and gallium oxide in the presence of ammonia gas. The synthesized BN nanotubes exhibit a well-crystallized concentric structure with diameters less than 30 nm, and no carbon contamination or defects could be observed, while the BN nanotubes with large diameters usually show a number of defects. Some BN nanohorn structures could also be observed in the product. The carbon-free growth of BN nanotubes was explained based on the vapor–liquid–solid growth mechanism, and the catalytic activity of liquid gallium for BN one-dimensional growth was also demonstrated.