Boron Nitride Nanotubes and Nanosheets

Abstract

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a layered material with a graphite-like structure in which planar networks of BN hexagons are regularly stacked. As the structural analogue of a carbon nanotube (CNT), a BN nanotube (BNNT) was first predicted in 1994; since then, it has become one of the most intriguing non-carbon nanotubes. Compared with metallic or semiconducting CNTs, a BNNT is an electrical insulator with a band gap of ca. 5 eV, basically independent of tube geometry. In addition, BNNTs possess a high chemical stability, excellent mechanical properties, and high thermal conductivity. The same advantages are likely applicable to a graphene analogue-a monatomic layer of a hexagonal BN. Such unique properties make BN nanotubes and nanosheets a promising nanomaterial in a variety of potential fields such as optoelectronic nanodevices, functional composites, hydrogen accumulators, electrically insulating substrates perfectly matching the CNT, and graphene lattices. This review gives an introduction to the rich BN nanotube/nanosheet field, including the latest achievements in the synthesis, structural analyses, and property evaluations, and presents the purpose and significance of this direction in the light of the general nanotube/nanosheet developments.

Charge-Controlled Switchable CO2 Capture on Boron Nitride Nanomaterials

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] They have excellent mechanical properties, high thermal conductivity, and high resistance to oxidation. [10][11][12][13][14][15] These properties make them very promising in a variety of potential applications such as optoelectronic nanodevices, spintronics, light emission, photocatalysts, thermal rectifiers, functional composites, etc. [16][17][18][19][20][21] One potential application is for CO 2 capture and storage.…”

Superhigh capacity and rate capability of high-level nitrogen-doped graphene sheets as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

“…In addition, the electronic and chemical properties of graphene can be modified by chemical doping heteroatoms, such as boron atoms and nitrogen atoms [11][12][13][14][15]. Particularly, nitrogen-doped graphene has been extensively applied in various fields, such as electrocatalysis [16,17], supercapacitor [18,19], Li-air fuel cell [20], and lithium-ion batteries [21][22][23][24].…”

One-dimensional surface phonon polaritons in boron nitride nanotubes

“…Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has a strong phonon resonance that results in a negative permittivity band on the high frequency side of the resonance 18 , and has recently been found to be capable of supporting mid-IR SPhPs 19 . The multiwall boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) [20][21][22] , are a one-dimensional (1D) version of boron nitride, with geometry that can be controlled through chemical synthesis. BNNTs are chemically inert and mechanically strong with diameters as small as 2 nm.…”