Boron nitride nanotubes: synthesis and applications

• Published in: Nano convergence Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 17 - 13
• Main Authors: Kim, Jun Hee, Pham, Thang Viet, Hwang, Jae Hun, Kim, Cheol Sang, Kim, Myung Jong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 28.06.2018; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen; 나노기술연구협의회
• Subjects: Applications; Atomic structure; Boron; Boron nitride; Boron nitride nanotubes; Carbon nanotubes; Chemistry and Materials Science; Materials Science; Nanomaterials; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Nanotubes; Nitrogen atoms; Oxidation resistance; Piezoelectric actuators; Piezoelectricity; Polymer matrix composites; Review; Scalable synthesis; Shielding; Synthesis; Synthesis methods; Thermal conductivity; Thermal management; 고분자공학; Applications; Scalable synthesis; Synthesis methods; Boron nitride nanotubes
• ISSN: 2196-5404; 2196-5404
• DOI: 10.1186/s40580-018-0149-y

Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) has similar tubular nanostructure as carbon nanotube (CNT) in which boron and nitrogen atoms arranged in a hexagonal network. Owing to the unique atomic structure, BNNT has numerous excellent intrinsic properties such as superior mechanical strength , high thermal conductivity, electrically insulating behavior, piezoelectric property, neutron shielding capability, and oxidation resistance. Since BNNT was first synthesized in 1995, developing efficient BNNT production route has been a significant issue due to low yield and poor quality in comparison with CNT, thus limiting its practical uses. However, many great successes in BNNT synthesis have been achieved in recent years, enabling access to this material and paving the way for the development of promising applications. In this article, we discussed current progress in the production of boron nitride nanotube, focusing on the most common and effective methods that have been well established so far. In addition, we presented various applications of BNNT including polymer composite reinforcement, thermal management packages, piezo actuators, and neutron shielding nanomaterial.