Boron nitride nanotube branched nanojunctions

One-dimensional boron nitride (BN) nanotube nanojunctions are of great interest for both fundamental and applied research because of their stable and excellent mechanical and physical properties. Large quantities of highly pure BN nanotube multiple Y- and/or T-junctions were synthesized by annealing pure boron nanowire precursors in N-2 atmosphere at 1500 degrees C. Transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy studies reveal that the products possess a concentric tubular structure and stoichiometric BN composition. The boron nanostructured precursors react with nitrogen at high temperature to form the corresponding BN components, retaining their original morphologies. A non-equilibrium interdiffusion of nitrogen and boron might be involved in the transformation process of the solid boron nanowires to hollow BN nanostructures. Our results illustrate the technological potential of BN nanoscale multiple junctions being incorporated into future nanoscale mechanical and electronic devices.