ELFT HÍRADÓ

[Szeminárium koordinátor <szfi-seminar AT wigner.mta.hu>]

WIGNER SZFI Seminar

Nanocables based on boron nitride

Katalin Kamarás
H.A.S Wigner RCP SZFI

Tuesday, 10 October 2017, H.A.S. Wigner RCP SZFI, Bldg. 1, 2nd floor, Conference Room

Boron nitride is an analogue of graphene where the π-electrons possess reduced mobility and the B-N bonds show pronounced ionic character. Despite these differences in electronic structure, this material can also form nanotubes and undergo encapsulation reactions with small molecules. The subject of my talk is the use of boron nitride nanotubes as effective nanoscale containers for the confinement and thermal transformations of molecules of C₆₀-fullerene. The gas-phase insertion of fullerenes into the internal channel of boron nitride nanotubes yields quasi-1D arrays, with packing arrangements of the guest fullerenes different from those in the bulk crystal and critically dependent on the internal diameter of the host nanotube. Interestingly, the confined fullerene molecules:i) exhibit dynamic behavior and temperature-dependent phase transitions analogous to that observed in the bulk crystal, and ii) can be effectively removed from within the internal channel of nanotubes by excessive sonication in organic solvent, indicating weak host–guest interactions. The thermal treatment of fullerenes confined within nanotubes at 1200 °C in argon triggers the polymerization and coalescence of the guest fullerenes into carbon nanotubes inside boron nitride nanotubes affording a hybrid nanostructure—the world’s smallest coaxial cable—on a preparative scale, as confirmed by high-resolution bright-field transmission electron microscopy imaging, electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy elemental mapping, and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy.

 

Small Methods 1, 1700184-1-9 (2017)

 

 

Everyone is welcome to attend.

János Asbóth
szfi-seminar AT wigner.mta.hu