Synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes by Argon supported Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition

Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition technique is modified with the use of Argon gas flow inside the chamber as an alternative for vacuum and orientation of one end closed quartz test tube. The use of Argon gas not only simplified the experimental set up, but also made it ~ 18 % cost effective compared to the conventional set up. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs show straight and long BNNTs along with some cotton like morphologies. Transmission electron microscopy revealed bamboo like structure inside the tube and ~0.34 nm interlayer spacing for highly crystalline nature of boron nitride nanotubes. X-ray photon spectroscopy shows B 1s peak at 191.08 eV and N 1s peak at 398.78 eV that represents h-BN. Whereas, Raman spectrum indicates a major peak at ~1379.60 (cm−1) that correspond to E2g mode of h-BN.

Graphical abstractThe use of Ar gas as a reaction atmosphere has made BNNTs synthesis easy and ~ 18 % cost effective as compare to any other technique.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide