Formation of boron nitride (BN) fullerene-like nanoparticles and (BN)xCy nanotubes using carbon nanotubes as templates

A method for the synthesis of boron nitride (BN) fullerene-like nanoparticles (FNPs) and (BN)(x)C-y nanotubes in large quantities using carbon nanotubes as templates is presented. Boron oxide vapor was reacted with nitrogen gas in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at 1573 K in a boron nitride crucible to form BN-FNPs and BN-C nanotubes. FNPs usually display a clear polyhedral morphology with an inner hollow space. The shell thickness and inner empty spaces of these FNPs typically range from 2-8 nm and 5-25 nm, respectively. The (BN)(x)C-y nanotubes have diameters and lengths similar to the starting CNTs, but have much more ordered structures. The growth mechanism is discussed.