I-Corps: High Quality Boron Nitride Nanotubes

Michigan Technological University, Houghton MI

Investigators

Abstract

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are structurally similar to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with many similar properties such as extraordinarily high mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. Unlike CNTs, BNNTs have a uniform band gap (~5.5 eV) that is not sensitive to structural variations. Furthermore BNNTs are chemically more inert than CNTs, and have a higher resistance to oxidation at high temperatures. However, there are few research groups in the world capable of producing high-quality BNNTs. Based on their unique capability in growing high-quality BNNTs researchers will investigate a scanning chemical vapor deposition (SCVD) technique. Preliminary tests of the small SCVD system have demonstrated a 10-fold higher production yield of BNNTs. The yield could potentially be further improved by 1000-fold with the use of a bigger CVD system. If successfully completed, this project may further the use of BNNTs in various branches of science and engineering, including 1) insulating heat sink materials for high-performance electronic devices and engines, 2) doped BNNTs for nanoelectronic and photonic devices without the need of post-synthesis sorting, 3) chemically inert and high performance ceramics/alloys/composites, 4) boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for cancer treatment, 5) drug delivery using BNNTs.