Boron Nitride Nanotubes Research Articles

Analysis of surface deviation impact on bio-mass sensing application of Boron Nitride Nanotubes

The Boron Nitride Nanotube (BNNT) is capable of sensing the masses even below the zeptogram level when it is used as a resonator. The surface of BNNT is considered to be straight in most of the existing literatures. In this work, wavy surface of BNNT is considered, and its effect on the mass sensing capabilities of BNNT is investigated. A nonlinear mathematical model is developed by applying the continuum mechanics approach on surface deviated (wavy) BNNT of a hollow cylindrical geometry with thin wall. The model is normalized to the nanoscale level, and the degrees of nonlinearity arise due to waviness are identified in BNNT mass sensing application. The deformation in nanostructures is nonlinear that causes oscillations of large amplitude. The midplane stretching and waviness factor of a single walled BNNT, which is clamped at both of its end, are considered to investigate its frequency response to the attached mass. It is proposed to include waviness surface of BNNT to develop more accurate biomass sensor. It is further found that there is a shift in the resonance frequency due to surface waviness of BNNT as compared to straight BNNT. The future perspective of this study is to investigate methods to optimize the wavy structure of BNNTs for improved biomolecule detection. This could involve studying the effect of different wave patterns, sizes, and amplitudes on the sensor's sensitivity and selectivity.

Energy harvesting and dynamic response of SMA nano conical panels with nanocomposite piezoelectric patch under moving load

Nowadays, the application of advanced and intelligent materials such as piezoelectric, shape memory alloys (SMA), and multi-phase materials, are highly demanded, especially in self-powered energy structures. Therefore, to obtain maximum efficiency, it is crucial to study and analysis the mechanical behavior of the energy production rate of the employed materials. This research theoretically evaluated the impacts of moving load and the use of a piezoelectric patch on the level of energy harvesting and dynamic behavior of a Nano Conical Panel (NCP) made from SMA located on a frictional substrate using the First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT). Based on mixture rule, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with smart properties are used to reinforce the piezoelectric patch. A two-phase nonlocal method was adopted to take nano-scale effects into account. Mechanical behaviors such as friction and torsional viscoelastic were considered for the foundation layer. To reproduce the pseudo-elastic characteristics of SMA, the Hernandez-Lagoudas model was employed. In addition to these, Integral Quadrature (IQ), Differential Quadrature (DQ), and Newmark methods were coupled together to solve the equations regarding the output voltage, electric power and dynamic deflection. The computational outcomes showed that by applying a positive voltage to a piezoelectric patch, the maximum strain, as well as the energy harvesting capacity of NCP, were increased. Placing the NCP on a frictional viscoelastic-torsional layer led to deteriorated peak values of dimensionless dynamic displacement and dimensionless voltage by about 50.3% and 44.5%, respectively, compared with those of the system without the medium. At load resistance of 400 nano ohm, increasing the moving load velocity to 6.5 nm/ns, piezoelectric patch length to NCP length ratio up to 0.5, and applying CFCF boundary conditions led to enhancement of maximum output power by 30%, 88.3%, and 377%, respectively. Also, increasing the weight fraction of Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNT) up to 0.4% in the piezoelectric layer was found to be a suitable strategy to simultaneously decrease the dimensionless dynamic displacement and enhance dimensionless voltage by 23.4% and 21%, respectively.

The Study of Interaction of Melphalan with SWCNT- BNNT Through Force Fields Molecular Mechanics and Quantum Calculations in Different Solvents and Temperatures

Abstract:In this study, the interaction of Melphalan, which is an anti-cancer medicine, with Singlewall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), was investigated. Calculations were performed by using two methods of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics. Thermodynamic parameters and Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs) of the title compounds were evaluated by using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The Quantum Mechanics calculations proved that BNNTs are more suitable carriers for Melphalan. Moreover, the interaction of Melphalan with SWCNTs and BNNTs at different temperatures was evaluated by Monte Carlo calculations. The MM+ force field was chosen as the most efficient field, and the HCl solvent has the lowest amount of energy and proven to be the most stable solvent for the simulation. The most significant finding obtained from this study is that the results of all types of calculations are in line with each other regarding both thermodynamic properties and conformers.

Enhancement of Isotropic Heat Dissipation of Polymer Composites by Using Ternary Filler Systems Consisting of Boron Nitride Nanotubes, h-BN, and Al2O3.

In this research article, a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based composite was postulated adapting an interactive ternary filler system consisting of Al2O3, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) to construct a continuous three-dimensional (3D) structure for thermal attenuation. Al2O3 was imposed as a main filler, while h-BN and BNNT were assimilated to form interconnected heat conduction pathways for effective thermal dissipation. The structured framework articulates a profound improvement in isotropic thermal conductivity considering both axial and radial heat dissipation. The presence of h-BN entails uniform heat distribution in a planar mode, eliminating the occurrence of hotspots, while BNNT constructed a connecting phonon pathway in various directions, which insinuates effective overall thermal transport. The generated ternary filler composites attained an isotropic ratio of 1.35 and a thermal conductivity of 7.50 W/mK, which is a 36-fold (∼3650%) increase compared to neat PDMS resin and almost 3-fold (∼297%) that of the Al2O3 unary filler composite and ∼53% that of its binary counterpart, partaking interfacial thermal gaps of ∼36.15 and ∼62.24% on practical heating performance relative to its counterparts. Moreover, the incorporation of BNNT on a traditional spherical and planar filler offers an advantage not only in thermal conductivity but also in thermal and structural stability. Improvement in thermal stability is stipulated due to a melting point (Tm) shift of ∼11 °C upon the assimilation of BNNT. Mechanical permeance reinforcement was also observed with the presence of BNNT, showcasing a 31.5% increase in tensile strength and a 53% increase in Young's modulus relative to the singular filler composite. This exploration administers a new insight into heat dissipation phenomena in polymeric composites and proposes a simple approach to their design and assembly.

Boron Nitride-Based Nanomaterials: Synthesis and Application in Rechargeable Batteries

Conventional boron nitride material is a resistant refractory compound of boron and nitrogen with various crystalline forms. The hexagonal form, which corresponds to graphite, is used as a lubricant and an additive to cosmetic products because of its higher stability and softness. Recently, various nanostructured boron nitride materials, including nanosheets, nanotubes, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites with diverse new properties, have been achieved through the development of advanced synthesis techniques as well as a deeper understanding of the properties and related applications. As nanostructured boron nitride materials exhibit high chemical, thermal and mechanical stability, the incorporation of nanostructured boron nitride materials into the key components (electrolytes, separators, and electrodes) of electrochemical systems can alleviate various inherent problems. This review article systematically summarizes the integration of nanostructured boron nitride into electrolytes, separators, and electrodes of lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and lithium-sulfur batteries. Various structures, synthesis methods, properties, and electrochemical performance of nanostructured boron nitride incorporated electrolytes, separators, and electrodes in rechargeable batteries are discussed. The challenges and possibilities for future application of boron nitride-based nanomaterials in electrochemical energy storage systems are also highlighted.

Growth of boron nitride nanotubes from magnesium-based catalysts

Growth of boron nitride nanotubes from magnesium-based catalysts

Thermal Conductivity of Carbon/Boron Nitride Heteronanotube and Boron Nitride Nanotube Buckypapers: Implications for Thermal Management Composites.

To date, there has been limited reporting on the fabrication and properties of macroscopic sheet assemblies (specifically buckypapers) composed of carbon/boron nitride core-shell heteronanotubes (MWCNT@BNNT) or boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). Herein we report the synthesis of MWCNT@BNNTs via a facile method involving Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (APCVD) and the safe h-BN precursor ammonia borane. These MWCNT@BNNTs were used as sacrificial templates for BNNT synthesis by thermal oxidation of the core carbon. Buckypaper fabrication was facilitated by facile sonication and filtration steps. To test the thermal conductivity properties of these new buckypapers, in the interest of thermal management applications, we have developed a novel technique of advanced scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) that we call piercing SThM (pSThM). Our measurements show a 14% increase in thermal conductivity of the MWCNT@BNNT buckypaper relative to a control multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) buckypaper. Meanwhile, our BNNT buckypaper exhibited approximately half the thermal conductivity of the MWCNT control, which we attribute to the turbostratic quality of our BNNTs. To the best of our knowledge, this work achieves the first thermal conductivity measurement of a MWCNT@BNNT buckypaper and of a BNNT buckypaper composed of BNNTs not synthesized by high energy techniques.

Flexible Thermoelectric Films Based on Bi2Te3 Nanowires and Boron Nitride Nanotube Networks with Carbon Doping.

Energy recovery and reuse, industrial waste heat, and thermal energy recovery and conversion in emerging electronic devices are topics of widespread interest. Flexible composite thermoelectric (TE) films have become the key to TE conversion, and many studies and synthesis methods related to them have made great progress. However, little research has been performed on the corresponding composites of typical TE materials with low-dimensional nanotubular materials, particularly modulation of the overall TE properties using doped low-dimensional nanotubular materials. In this work, high-quality bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanowires and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were prepared using electrolytic deposition and high-temperature catalytic deposition, respectively. Bi2Te3-BNNTs composite films were prepared using a solvent hot pressing method. The Bi2Te3-BNNTs composite film conductivity reached 179.6 S/cm at room temperature (300 K), the corresponding Seebeck coefficient was 171.4 μV/K, and the power factor (PF) was 52.8 nW/mK2. Carbon doping of BNNTs resulted in carbon-boron nitride nanotubes (BCNNTs), and Bi2Te3-BNNTs composite films were prepared. The Bi2Te3-BCNNTs composite films obtained a conductivity of 4629.6 S/cm, at room temperature (300 K), a corresponding Seebeck coefficient of 181.2 μV/K, and a PF of 1520.0 nW/mK2. This study has important reference value for the application of TE conversion. Moreover, the electrical conductivity decreased by no more than 10% after 400 cycles of bending tests, and the electrical conductivity showed signs of recovery after repressing thermally, which undoubtedly proves that Bi2Te3-BCNNTs composite films have good flexibility and thermal stability, and this has contributed to the application and promotion of flexible thermoelectric materials.

Experimental and Computational Research on the Effect of Flow Distribution on the Growth of Boron Nitride Nanotubes by Chemical Vapor Deposition

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method offers a controlled and scalable approach for the large-scale production of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). However, current research on BNNTs has been primarily focused on identifying precursors that can facilitate the efficient preparation of pure BNNTs. The collection of BNNTs remains a significant challenge due to the complex nature of the CVD reaction, which is influenced by the variable location of the floating aggregation of BNNTs generated from the gas phase reaction. To address this issue, we utilized B/MgO/Fe2O3, a well-established CVD precursor, to grow BNNTs in a horizontal furnace. Through experimental and computational fluid dynamics simulation analysis, we identified the impact of vortex generation and low flow rate on the floating height of BNNTs. Using the insights gained from these investigations, we designed a more efficient growth setup, laying the foundation for achieving larger-scale BNNT production in the future.

Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy Composites Fabricated with Boron Nitride and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Preparation of polymer-based packaging materials with rapid heat dissipation capacity is crucial for ensuring high-power equipment’s service life. To achieve this, boron nitride (BN) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used in different ratios to prepare thermally conductive epoxy composites. These composites were created through a simple mixing and curing process, resulting in a heat transmission path. Then, BN and MWCNTs were separately functionalized with dopamine and acid to enhance their dispersibility and interfacial compatibility within the epoxy resin. This was done to further explore their influence on the formation of serial heat transfer pathways. The BN/MWCNTs/epoxy composites with a filler ratio of 15:1 and a total filler loading of 30 wt % exhibited a thermal conductivity of 0.92 W/mK, which is 118% higher than pure epoxy. These composites also displayed favorable mechanical properties and thermal stability. This study provides guidance for designing high-performance epoxy composites to meet modern electronic devices’ thermal management requirements.

Understanding the role of ultrasonic cavitation assisted casting of boron nitride nanotube-reinforced aluminum matrix composite

Integrating and dispersing one-dimensional (1D) nano reinforcements in metal matrix composites (MMC) is challenging due to their higher specific surface area, strong van der Waals forces within the nano reinforcement, and poor wettability with the matrix. In the present study, ultrasonic cavitation-assisted casting was employed to fabricate boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT)-reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The ultrasonic treatment (UST) demonstrated excellent deagglomeration, and dispersion of BNNTs in molten aluminum along with enhanced grain refinement potency. A remarkable ∼62% grain refinement efficiency in Al-BNNT composite compared to pure Al was achieved owing to the combined effect of UST, BNNT reinforcement and cold rolling. The increase in low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) by ∼58% in Al-BNNT composite, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps, demonstrates the pileup of dislocations resulting in strength improvement. The yield strength exhibited a 97% improvement in the BNNT-reinforced composite compared to pure Al. The strengthening is attributed to UST, enhanced dislocation density and efficient bridging effect between BNNTs and the matrix. Thus, the present study constitutes the first successful report on the role of UST in the mechanism of BNNT dispersion, grain morphology and enhanced mechanical properties, including cold rolling of BNNT-reinforced MMC. Successful dispersion of BNNTs by ultrasonic cavitation confirms that UST technology is a promising method for manufacturing high-strength nanoparticle-reinforced lightweight metal matrix composites.

Investigations on the Nonlinear Optical Properties of 0D, 1D, and 2D Boron Nitride Nanomaterials in the Visible Spectral Region.

In recent years, boron nitride nanomaterials have attracted increasing attention due to their unique properties such as high temperature stability and high thermal conductivity. They are structurally analogous to carbon nanomaterials and can also be generated as zero-dimensional nanoparticles and fullerenes, one-dimensional nanotubes and nanoribbons, and two-dimensional nanosheets or platelets. In contrast to carbon-based nanomaterials, which have been extensively studied during recent years, the optical limiting properties of boron nitride nanomaterials have hardly been analysed so far. This work summarises a comprehensive study on the nonlinear optical response of dispersed boron nitride nanotubes, boron nitride nanoplatelets, and boron nitride nanoparticles using nanosecond laser pulses at 532 nm. Their optical limiting behaviour is characterised by means of nonlinear transmittance and scattered energy measurements and a beam profiling camera is used to analyse the beam characteristics of the transmitted laser radiation. Our results show that nonlinear scattering dominates the OL performance of all measured boron nitride nanomaterials. Boron nitride nanotubes show a large optical limiting effect, much stronger than the benchmark material, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, which makes them promising for laser protection applications.

The impact of Si and Cu doping upon the sensing capability of BN nano-tube in detecting diazomethane

The hybrid exchange-correlation functional B3LYP is used to see how Si and Cu-doping impacts upon the sensing capability of a BN nano-tube (BNNT) in detecting diazomethane (DM). The interaction of the pristine BNNT with DM was weak with a sensing response (SR) of roughly 2.7. The adhesion energy for DM reduced from −4.9 to −21.5 kcal/mol after Si and Cu atoms were doped on the surface of the BNNT and also, the SR reduced to 33.1 and 85.8, respectively. The greater atomic radius of Cu compared to Si seemed to be the reason for the greater SR. The recovery time (RT) when DM was desorbed from the surface of the BNNT doped with Cu at 298 K was 4.6 s. We conclude that it is possible to use the Cu-doped BNNT as a highly sensitive sensor to detect DM with a short RT.

Hydrogen adsorption on magnesium-decorated (3, 3) and (5, 0) boron nitride nanotubes

Hydrogen is one of the cleanest ways to store energy in a post-fossil fuel economy. However, it can be dangerous as bulk gas and additional methods for hydrogen storage are needed. Physisorption on graphene sheets and nanotubes has been proposed as an effective approach due to their exceedingly high surface area and storage capacity similar to, or exceeding, highly compressed gas. Magnesium-doping has been demonstrated to significantly enhance hydrogen storage on boron-doped graphene sheets, but Mg-doped boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT), a potentially far more promising material due to the inherent dipoles in the surface providing stronger affinity for hydrogen, remain unexplored. In this in silico investigation, both the armchair (3,3) and zigzag (5,0) BNNT architectures, doped with Mg atoms, were examined for hydrogen storage capacity using first-principles density functional theory. Our calculations revealed that highly Mg-doped armchair and zigzag polymorphs of BNNTs could adsorb up to 9.65 and 8.77 weight percent hydrogen respectively, above the targets sought by the US Department of Energy for future hydrogen storage materials.

Synthesis of Double-Walled Boron Nitride Nanotubes from Ammonia Borane by Thermal Plasma Methods.

Highly crystalline double-walled boron nitride nanotubes (DWBNNTs ∼60%) were synthesized from ammonia borane (AB; H3B-NH3) precursors using a high-temperature thermal plasma method. The differences between the synthesized BNNTs using the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) precursor and AB precursor were compared using various techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and in situ optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The synthesized BNNTs were longer and had fewer walls when the AB precursor was used than when the conventional method was used (with the h-BN precursor). The production rate significantly improved from ∼20 g/h (h-BN precursor) to ∼50 g/h (AB precursor), and the content of amorphous boron impurities was significantly reduced, implying a self-assembly mechanism of BN radicals rather than the conventional mechanism involving boron nanoballs. Through this mechanism, the BNNT growth, which was accompanied by an increased length, a decreased diameter, and a high growth rate, could be understood. The findings were also supported by in situ OES data. Considering the increased production yield, this synthesis method using AB precursors is expected to make an innovative contribution to the commercialization of BNNTs.

Boron nitride nanotubes and nanosheets: Their basic properties, synthesis, and some of applications

Boron nitride nanotubes and nanosheets: Their basic properties, synthesis, and some of applications

A Multi-Scale Continuum Study for Boron Nitride Nanotubes Based on the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin Method

A Multi-Scale Continuum Study for Boron Nitride Nanotubes Based on the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin Method

Ruthenium-doped boron nitride nanotubes as promising electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to methane

Ruthenium-doped boron nitride nanotubes as promising electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction to methane

Achieving Boron-Carbon-Nitrogen Heterostructures by Collision Fusion of Carbon Nanotubes and Boron Nitride Nanotubes.

Heterostructures may exhibit completely new physical properties that may be otherwise absent in their individual component materials. However, how to precisely grow or assemble desired complex heterostructures is still a significant challenge. In this work, the collision dynamics of a carbon nanotube and a boron nitride nanotube under different collision modes were investigated using the self-consistent-charge density-functional tight-binding molecular dynamics method. The energetic stability and electronic structures of the heterostructure after collision were calculated using the first-principles calculations. Five main collision outcomes are observed, that is, two nanotubes can (1) bounce back, (2) connect, (3) fuse into a defect-free BCN heteronanotube with a larger diameter, (4) form a heteronanoribbon of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride and (5) create serious damage after collision. It was found that both the BCN single-wall nanotube and the heteronanoribbon created by collision are the direct band-gap semiconductors with the band gaps of 0.808 eV and 0.544 eV, respectively. These results indicate that collision fusion is a viable method to create various complex heterostructures with new physical properties.

Boron nitride nanotube peapods at ultrasonic velocity impacts: a fully atomistic molecular dynamics investigation

Boron nitride nanotube peapods (BNNT-peapod) are composed of linear chains of C60 molecules encapsulated inside BNNTs, they were first synthesized in 2003. In this work, we investigated the mechanical response and fracture dynamics of BNNT-peapods under ultrasonic velocity impacts (from 1 km s−1 up to 6 km s−1) against a solid target. We carried out fully atomistic reactive molecular dynamics simulations using a reactive force field. We have considered the case of horizontal and vertical shootings. Depending on the velocity values, we observed tube bending, tube fracture, and C60 ejection. Furthermore, the nanotube unzips for horizontal impacts at certain speeds, forming bi-layer nanoribbons ‘incrusted’ with C60 molecules. The methodology used here is applicable to other nanostructures. We hope it motivates other theoretical investigations on the behavior of nanostructures at ultrasonic velocity impacts and aid in interpreting future experimental results. It should be stressed that similar experiments and simulations were carried out on carbon nanotubes trying to obtain nanodiamonds. The present study expands these investigations to include BNNT.