Boron nitride nanotubes filled with zirconium oxide nanorods

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) filled with zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanorods were synthesized by the improved solid-gas multiphase reaction method. The structure of ZrO₂ nanorods was monoclinic single crystal or multi-twin crystal. The diameters of ZrO₂ nanorods varied from 20 to 40 nm. The inner diameters of BNNTs were similar to those of corresponding ZrO₂ nanorods. The BNNTs exhibited open end, closed end, or an end connected with a short tube grown from the tip of the ZrO₂ nanorod. No preferred orientation was observed for the growth of ZrO₂ nanorods.