Extreme Energy-Density Research Institute, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka 940-2188, Japan
Received 14 October 2013
Accepted 2 December 2013
Available online 10 December 2013
Highlights
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BN nanosheet-Fe nanocomposites were synthesized by discharging BN-coated Fe wires.
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BN nanotubes were developed by high temperature annealing nanocomposites in N2.
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Formation mechanism of BN nanosheet/nanotubes-Fe nanocomposites was suggested.
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The pulsed wire discharge is a simple method to develop nanocomposites.
Abstract
This letter presents a simple method to synthesize boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS)/boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)–Fe nanocomposites via pulsed wire discharge (PWD) and high-temperature annealing. BNNS–Fe nanocomposites were synthesized by discharging BNNS-coated Fe wires in ambient nitrogen. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were annealed at 1200 °C to develop BNNTs. The Fe nanoparticles were found as the catalysts for growing BNNTs.
