Semiconducting B–C–N nanotubes with few layers

Perfectly ordered nanotubes (NTs) displaying a limited number of defect-free B–C–N shells (typically 2–4) were synthesized from CVD C NTs and a mixture of boron oxide and gold oxide placed in a flowing N2 atmosphere at ∼1950 K. The NTs were analyzed using field emission conventional and energy-filtered (Omega filter) high-resolution electron microscopes, and electron energy loss and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers. NTs with inner diameters of 0.9–4.0 nm were frequently assembled in bundles consisting of several tubes and extending up to 1–2 μm in length. Two-terminal transport measurements on individual B–C–N nanotube bundles were carried out in-situ in a Fresnel projection microscope. The bundles displayed semiconducting behavior with an estimated band gap of ∼1 eV.