Boron nitride nanotubes synthesis from ammonia borane by an inductively coupled plasma

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have been studied extensively due to their unique properties. Hydrogenassisted induction thermal plasma with hBN powder has been reported in the past to produce high-yield small-diameter BNNTs. However, removal of unprocessed hBN and other BN-based impurities has been a challenge. This study presents a new approach for BNNT synthesis using ammonia borane (AB) as the raw material while maintaining the high yield and similar nanotube diameter and number of walls. Our findings demonstrate that the use of AB results in enhanced synthesis of BNNTs with reduced B and BN impurities formation. The presence of H in the proximity of B following AB decomposition facilitated more efficient formation of BH-based precursors that also lowered the partial pressure of B and restricted its condensation and coagulation into large B particles, ultimately leading to an increased density of B seeds required for BNNTs nucleation. Both the increased formation of BNNT precursors and B seeds contributed to more efficient BNNTs formation. XRD analysis revealed that AB-BNNTs contained no hBN, less tBN, and more BNNTs compared to hBN-BNNTs. Additionally, TGA and OES measurements confirmed formation of less B and production of more BH species, respectively. Our results suggest that AB as a feedstock for BNNT synthesis in induction thermal plasma offers a promising alternative to hBN powder.

Automated summary

This study presents a new method for the synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) using ammonia borane (AB) as the raw material in hydrogen-assisted thermal plasma. The results show that AB can enhance the synthesis of BNNTs with reduced impurities and increased density of nucleating seeds.