Catalytic growth of bamboo-like boron nitride nanotubes using self-propagation high temperature synthesized porous precursor

The high-pure bamboo-like boron nitride (BN) nanotubes with high yield were synthesized via an effective chemical vapor deposition method by annealing porous precursor under NH3 atmosphere at 1150 °C. The porous precursor was readily prepared by self-propagation high temperature synthesis (SHS) method. The as-synthesized BN nanotubes were characterized by SEM, TEM, HRTEM, XRD, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The results indicate these nanotubes have bamboo-like structures with an average diameter of about 90 nm and length of more than 10 μm. Nanotube content is estimated as approximately 90 wt.% according to the statistical analyses by SEM and TEM. Moreover, the reaction mechanism for the as-synthesized BN nanotubes is proposed.

► Bulk bamboo-like boron nitride nanotubes were synthesized by annealing porous precursor.
► Boron-containing, porous precursor was readily prepared by SHS method.
► The three-dimensional movement of catalyst droplets is the key to controlling the structure.