Dispersion of boron nitride nanotubes in non-aqueous solution

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were dispersed in an ethyl alcohol solution with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Triton X-100 (TX100) as dispersants. The influence of the dispersant content on the dispersity of BNNTs was researched. The dispersion system was characterised by means of a UV-vis spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the dispersion effect of TX100 was better than that of PVP. The optimal addition of TX100 and PVP were 3 and 2 wt%, respectively. The precipitation of BNNTs was 8.6 and 12.6% after 48 h, respectively, with PVP and TX100. The disperse mechanism of TX100 and PVP was steric hindrance stabilisation.