Large-scale synthesis of BN nanotubes using carbon nanotubes as template

Boron nitride nanotubes (BN-NTs) were synthesized in large scale by the reaction of NaBH4 and NH4Cl in the temperature range of 500–600 °C for 10–18 h, where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were mixed together with the reactants to serve as template. Pure BN-NTs were obtained by oxidizing the product at about 800 °C in air atmosphere. The structure and morphology of the product with a surface area of 106.635 m2/g were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Large scale preparation of BN-NTs could be realized by this simple and effective route.