First-principles study of interaction between H2 molecules and BN nanotubes with BN divacancies

Synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes via chemical vapour deposition: a comprehensive review

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been synthesized by various methods over the last two decades.

The effect of reaction atmosphere and growth duration on the size and morphology of boron nitride nanotubes

Observations of BNNTs grown in the reaction atmosphere of argon, ammonia and nitrogen.

Experimental and theoretical studies suggesting the possibility of metallic boron nitride edges in porous nanourchins

We first describe the synthesis of novel and highly porous boron nitride (BN) nanospheres (100-400 nm o.d.) that exhibit a rough surface consisting of open BN nanocones and corrugated BN ribbons. The material was produced by reacting B2O3 with nanoporous carbon spheres under nitrogen at ca. 1750 degrees C. The BN nanospheres were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The porous BN spheres show relatively large surface areas of ca. 290 m2/g and exhibit surprisingly stable field emission properties at low turn-on voltages (e.g., 1-1.3 V/microm). We attribute these outstanding electron emission properties to the presence of finite BN ribbons located at the surface of the nanospheres (exhibiting zigzag edges), which behave like metals as confirmed by first-principles calculations. In addition, our ab initio theoretical results indicate that the work function associated to these zigzag BN ribbons is 1.3 eV lower when compared with BN-bulk material.