Electron microscopy study of BNNTs synthesized by high temperature–pressure method and purified by high-temperature steam
Source abstract
Abstract
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) possess extraordinary properties on the molecular level; hence, it is of particular interest to use them for the assembly of macroscopic materials. However, difficulties in BNNT synthesis and purification hinder their processing into such objects. Only recently, a large-scale production of high-quality BNNTs has been explored. Here, we study by advanced electron microscopy techniques BNNTs synthesized by the high temperature–pressure (HTP) method and compare BNNTs after different purification processes. We document many different defects and demonstrate that these do not prevent nematic alignment of BNNTs at high concentrations. In fact, we show that small-ordered domains form at lower concentrations for BNNTs of higher purity. Cryogenic electron microscopy provides direct-imaging evidence of the BNNT liquid crystalline phase, indicating the potential for the fabrication of highly ordered BNNT-based macroscopic assemblies by liquid-phase processing.Graphical abstract
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research · Graphene research and applications · MXene and MAX Phase Materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (32)
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