Synthesis, Structural and Mechanical Characterization of Amorphous and Crystalline Boron Nanobelts

Abstract

Abstract. Amorphous and crystalline (rhombohedral structure with [111] growth direction) boron nanobelts were synthesized by the vapor-liquid-solid technique. Their structure and chemical compositions were studied by various electron and atomic force microscopy techniques. Most amorphous and crystalline belts have a width to thickness ratio of 2 and are covered with a layer of amorphous silicon oxide. The crystalline belt cores are defect-free single crystals. Gold catalyst thickness and synthesis temperature are the two prominent parameters determining structure of the synthesized nanobelts. The elastic modulus and hardness were measured using nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy three-point bending techniques. The indentation elastic modulus and hardness were measured to be 92.8±4.5 GPa and 8.4±0.6 GPa for amorphous belts, and 72.7±3.9 GPa and 6.8±0.6 GPa for crystalline ones, respectively. The three-point bending elastic moduli were found to be 87.8±3.5 GPa and 72.2±2.4 GPa for amorphous and crystalline, respectively. The measured mechanical properties are 4-5 times lower than those of the counterpart bulk materials.

Berkovich nanoindentation on InP

“…Nanoindentation is emerging as a powerful technique for providing information on mechanical properties of the investigated materials and, based on analysis of respective the load-displacement curves [3][4][5][6][7][8]. While diamond anvil cell (DAC) experiments are capable of investigating the phase transition in bulk materials under the hydrostatic pressure [9], the materials behaviors under nanoindentation is of more relevance to realistic contact loading conditions.…”

B/SiOx Nanonecklace Reinforced Nanocomposites by Unique Mechanical Interlocking Mechanism

“…[34] The indentation elastic modulus were measured to be 93 GPa for amorphous boron nanobelts, and 73 GPa for crystalline rhombohedral boron nanobelts, respectively. [35] The mechanical resonance and tensile testing methods have proved that the elastic modulus of crystalline orthorhombic boron nanowires ranges from 300 to 400 GPa. [36] Boron nanowires have potential application for reinforcement of nanocomposites.…”

The Growth Methods and Field Emission Studies of Low-Dimensional Boron-Based Nanostructures

“…In laser ablation method, high-power continuous or pulsed laser sources are needed to irradiate the solid precursors and turn them into vapors or plasmas, which are subsequently transferred to the substrate and produce nanostructures. By this way, boron nanobelts (NBs) [55][56][57][58]81] and NWs [53,59] can be fabricated by using a pure boron or a B/NiCo as target, as shown in Figure 3a. Both the boron NBs and NWs were indexed as tetragonal structures.…”