A Universal Wet-Chemistry Route to Metal Filling of Boron Nitride Nanotubes

We present a facile wet-chemistry method for efficient metal filling of the hollow inner cores of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The fillers conform to the cross-section of the tube cavity and extend in length from a few nm to hundreds of nm. The methodology is robust and is demonstrated for noble...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nano letters 2016-01, Vol.16 (1), p.320-325
Main Authors: Pham, Thang, Fathalizadeh, Aidin, Shevitski, Brian, Turner, Sally, Aloni, Shaul, Zettl, Alex
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We present a facile wet-chemistry method for efficient metal filling of the hollow inner cores of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The fillers conform to the cross-section of the tube cavity and extend in length from a few nm to hundreds of nm. The methodology is robust and is demonstrated for noble metals (Au, Pt, Pd, and Ag), transition metals (Co), and post-transition elements (In). Transmission electron microscopy and related electron spectroscopy confirm the composition and morphology of the filler nanoparticles. Up to 60% of BNNTs of a given preparation batch have some degree of metal encapsulation, and individual tubes can have up to 10% of their core volume filled during initial loading. The growth, movement, and fusing of metal nanoparticles within the BNNTs are also examined.
ISSN:1530-6984
1530-6992
DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b03874