Functionalization and Solubilization of BN Nanotubes by Interaction with

Functionalization and solubilization of BN nanotubes by interaction with Lewis bases 

Received 10th October 2006, Accepted 13tk December 2006 

First published as an Advance Article on the web 18th December 2006 

By interaction with a trialkylamine or Irialkylphosphine, BN nanotabes can be dispersed in a hydrocarbon medium with retention of the nanotube structure. 

BN nanotubes were prepared by a standard literature procedure.7 BN nanotubes were prepared by the reaction of B2C 3 with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in the presence of ammonia at 1250 °C for 3 h. A grey spongy product was obtained after the reaction indicating the presence of unreacted MWNTs along with BN nanotubes. The product was washed with hot water to remove excess B2O3. The excess carbon present in the product was removed by oxidation at 800 C in low-pressure air (20 mPa). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (ED AX) were performed with 

DST unit on Nanoscience, CSIR-Cenire of Excellence in Chemistry, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore 560 064, India. E-mail ctinao jncasr, ac. in 

In a typical functionalization/solubilization experiment, 2 ml of trialkylamine or trialkylphosphine were added to 5 mg of purified BN nanotubes. The mixture was warmed at 70 °C for 12 h and s ubsequently sonicated for a few minutes. The functionalized BN 

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