Boron Nitride Nanotubes for a Series of Novel Nano-composite Materials

Abstract

A boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) is a structural analog of a carbon nanotube(CNT). However, due to their color-less nature, superior thermal and chemical stabilities, straight shapes, superb rigidity and elasticity, BNNTs are an intriguing nanoscale material which may find interesting uses in nano-technology such as nano-scale assembly and polymeric nano-composites with potential to rival or even surpass CNTs. Thus, high-concentration dispersion and chemical modification of BNNTs are primary important to realize a viable polymer nanocomposite systems. By combining present dispersion methods, BNNT could be mixed in current polymer matrices such as polyamide, polyester and polyolefin. Here we report an effective strategy to disperse BNNTs homogeneously into a wide range of polymeric materials from engineering plastics to biomacromolecules and examples of high performance / functional nano composites that might be practically useful in industrial, especially for the engineering applications.