Catalytic growth of nanotube and nanobamboo structures of boron nitride

Nanotube and nanobamboo structures of boron nitride (BN) have been synthesi zed by heating a mixture of boron and iron oxide in flowing ammonia gas. Th e reaction temperature and the ratio of B/Fe2O3 are found to play an import ant role in determining the diameter and morphology of the product. The in situ generated nanoscale iron catalysts are responsible for the nanotube-li ke growth. The growth of BN nanotube and nanobamboo structure is ascribed t o a catalytic growth within the framework of a vapor-liquid-solid catalytic growth mechanism. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.