Formation and growth mechanism of 10BN nanotubes via a carbon nanotube-substitution reaction

A substitution-reaction route has been demonstrated as an efficient synthesis route for producing single-walled and multiwalled (BN)-B-10 nanotubes (BNNTs). The nanotubes have diameters smaller than those of the starting carbon nanotubes and also have similar lengths to the starting carbon nanotubes. The isotopic ratio of B-10 in BNNTs depends on the isotopic ratio of the starting B2O3. A detailed growth model is also given for the carbon nanotube-substitution reaction. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.