Synthesis of aligned BxCyNz nanotubes by a substitution-reaction route

A substitution-reaction is used to synthesize highly aligned BxCyNz nanotubes (BxCyNz-NTs) with uniform length and small diameter. Aligned carbon/nitrogen nanotubes (CNx-NTs) or aligned carbon nanotubes (C-NTs) are reacted with B2O3 under ammonia atmosphere. The length and diameter of the aligned BxCyNz-NTs are similar to the starting aligned nanotubes. For example, the aligned BxCyNz-NTs produced from aligned CNx-NTs are 10–30 μm in length and 20–90 nm in diameter. The x/z ratio of BxCyNz-NTs for most nanotubes is close to 1:1. The x/y ratio of BxCyNz-NTs ranges from 0.3 to 1.7.