Straight boron carbide nanorods prepared from carbon nanotubes

Boron carbide nanorods were prepared on a large scale directly from the reaction of carbon nanotubes with boron powder at 1150degreesC. The bent carbon nanotubes transform into straight nanorods during the reaction. The atomic ratio of B to C in the nanorods is very close to 4 : 1, corresponding to the compound B4C. Carbon nanotubes act here as templates at the beginning of the formation and as a carbon source for the growth of the boron carbide nanorods.