Boron-doped carbon nanotubes prepared through a substitution reaction

Boron-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been prepared through a partial substitution reaction, where some carbon atoms of CNTs are substituted by boron atoms. Boron oxide vapor reacts with CNTs to form BxC (x≤0.10) nanotubes at 1373 K in 4 h under an argon atmosphere. The BxC nanotubes have diameters and lengths similar to those of the starting CNTs. Boron is seen to enhance the graphitization of CNTs. B4C and B13C2 crystalline nanorods are also formed, with typical diameters between 6 and 30 nm. It is suggested the synthetic method described here might be used to produce a large class of new doping CNTs.