The present disclosure relates to a standalone precursor for synthesizing nanomaterials, which is capable of effectively mass-producing nanomaterials, and an apparatus for synthesizing nanomaterials using the same.

High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BNNTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, and providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite period of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride film, including: preparing a substrate; preparing a boron-containing solid catalyst, and disposing the boron-containing solid catalyst on the substrate; annealing the boron-containing solid catalyst to melt the boron-containing solid catalyst; feeding a nitrogen-containing gas and a protecting gas to an atmosphere in which the melted boron-containing solid catalyst resides, the nitrogen-containing gas reacts with the boron-containing solid catalyst to form the multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride film on a surface of the substrate. The method for preparing a multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride film can prepare a hexagonal boron nitride film having a lateral size in the order of inches and a thickness from several nanometers to several hundred nanometers on the surface of the substrate, providing a favorable basis for the application of hexagonal boron nitride in the field of two-dimensional material devices.

The present disclosure provides a method for producing a boron nitride nanotube by heating a boron precursor, and an apparatus therefor. According to an embodiment, a method of producing a boron nitride nanotube includes: inserting several reaction modules each accommodating a holding rod disposed through at least one precursor block into a supply chamber disposed at a front end of a reaction chamber; conveying N reaction modules of the several reaction modules inserted in the supply chamber to a reaction zone of the reaction chamber; growing a boron nitride nanotube in the precursor block by operating the reaction zone for a predetermined time, in the reaction chamber; and conveying the N reaction modules from the reaction chamber to a discharge chamber disposed at a rear end of the reaction chamber after the predetermined time passes. Accordingly, it is possible to maximize the yield and productivity of BNNTs.

Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BNNTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, and providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite period of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to boron nitride nanomaterials. In one aspect, a method includes generating a directed flow of plasma. A boron-containing species is introduced to the directed flow of the plasma. Boron nitride nanostructures are formed in a chamber. In another aspect, a method includes generating a directed flow of plasma using nitrogen gas. A boron-containing species is introduced to the directed flow of the plasma. The boron-containing species can consist of boron powder, boron nitride powder, and/or boron oxide powder. Boron nitride nanostructures are formed in a chamber, with a pressure in the chamber being about 3 atmospheres or greater.

Processes for synthesizing the hexagonal polymorph of boron nitride (h-BN) produce h-BN of a grade that is highly suitable for ultraviolet (UV) field-emission lights and other UV applications.

Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BNNTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, and providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite period of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.