Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “BNNT”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

8 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Two-Dimensional Binary Superlattice of BNNT-Surfactant Vesicle Complex Induced by Electrostatic Interaction

For a wide range of practical applications of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), it is essential to achieve their highly ordered self-assembled structures. This study reports on a two-dimensional (2D) binary superlattice of individually exfoliated BNNTs with a negative surface charge (p-BNNT25) and cationic surfactant vesicles (CTAT/SDBS vesicles, prepared by mixing cetyltrimethylammonium tosylate (CTAT) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS)) complexes through electrostatic interactions. Depending on the surface charge density of the CTAT/SDBS vesicles and the mass ratio between the CTAT/SDBS vesicle and p-BNNT25, the CTAT/SDBS-BNNT complexes formed highly ordered superstructures. These structures include an intercalated lamellar phase with a centered rectangular structure (ICLP), in which a 2D array of p-BNNT25 is inserted into the multilamellar structure, and an AB 3 structure, in which the BNNTs are surrounded by surfactant micelles in a triangular arrangement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the fabrication of highly ordered superstructures of individually exfoliated and negatively charged BNNTs with positively charged surfactant vesicles through electrostatic interactions. This approach for the 2D binary superlattices of CTAT/SDBS-BNNT complexes induced by electrostatic interactions is expected to be beneficial for a wide range of one-dimensional (1D) nanoparticle applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Elucidating the role of surface species in CO oxidation catalyzed by boron nitride nanotube supported transition metal oxides

Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) is considered a highly promising catalyst support due to its outstanding thermal stability and chemical inertness. These characteristics make BNNT an attractive alternative for high-temperature applications. However, most studies to date have focused on incorporating platinum group metals (PGMs) to achieve high activity. Although BNNT-supported PGM catalysts are highly effective, their scarcity and high cost hinder widespread use in industrial processes. In this study, BNNT-supported transition metal oxides (TMO x /BNNT; TM = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) catalysts were investigated, and CO oxidation was applied as a model reaction to evaluate their catalytic performance. Several characterization techniques, including SEM-EDX, TEM, SXRD, H 2 -TPR, and XPS, were employed to examine their physicochemical properties. Notably, the particle size of the metal oxides differed significantly depending on the metal type. This variation is primarily attributed to the inherent metal–support interactions and the thermodynamic stability of each oxide during synthesis. These properties also affected catalytic activity, and various parameters, such as oxygen mobility and redox behavior, played important roles in determining performance. Finally, in situ DRIFTS, CO-TPSR, reaction-order analysis, and 18 O 2 isotope-labeling experiment were used to investigate the reaction mechanism. In conclusion, the findings provide insights into the design of cost-effective BNNT-supported catalysts and highlight their potential applicability in oxidation reactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Resistance of Boron Nitride Nanotubes to Radiation-Induced Oxidation

We present unprecedented results on the damage thresholds and pathways for boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) under the influence of energetic electrons in an oxidative gas environment, using an environmental aberration-corrected electron microscope over a range of oxygen pressures. We observe a damage cascade process that resists damage until a higher electron dose, compared with carbon nanotubes, initiating at defect-free BNNT sidewalls and proceeding through the conversion from crystalline nanotubes to amorphous boron nitride (BN), resisting oxidation throughout. We compare with prior results on the oxidation of carbon nanotubes and present a model that attributes the onset of damage in both cases to a physisorbed oxygen layer that reduces the threshold for damage onset. Surprisingly, increased temperatures offer protection against damage, as do electron dose rates that significantly exceed the oxygen dose rates, and our model attributes both effects to a physisorbed oxygen population.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dataset for "Resistance of Boron Nitride Nanotubes to Radiation-Induced Oxidation" as published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

We present unprecedented results on the damage thresholds and pathways for boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) under the influence of energetic electrons in an oxidative gas environment, using an environmental aberration-corrected electron microscope over a range of oxygen pressures. We observe a damage cascade process that resists damage until a higher electron dose, compared with carbon nanotubes, initiating at defect-free BNNT sidewalls and proceeding through the conversion from crystalline nanotubes to amorphous boron nitride (BN), resisting oxidation throughout. We compare with prior results on the oxidation of carbon nanotubes and present a model that attributes the onset of damage in both cases to a physisorbed oxygen layer that reduces the threshold for damage onset. Surprisingly, increased temperatures offer protection against damage, as do electron dose rates that significantly exceed the oxygen dose rates, and our model attributes both effects to a physisorbed oxygen population.

Adsorption↗
DOE OSTI2026

Elucidating interfacial active sites in ruthenium–boron nitride nanotube catalysts for efficient low-temperature ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion

Tailoring the interaction between metal nanoparticles and catalyst support presents a prominent strategy to enhance both the activity and durability in hydrogen (H 2 ) production catalysts. In this work, ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs) supported on boron nitride nanotubes (Ru/BNNT) are introduced as efficient and thermally robust catalysts for low-temperature ammonia (NH 3 ) decomposition. The unique curvature and ionic nature of BNNTs enable uniform Ru dispersion and metal-support interactions (MSIs), resulting in exceptional H 2 generation efficiency and long-term operational stability. In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals remarkable thermal resistance of Ru/BNNT with minimal nanoparticle sintering, while density functional theory (DFT) calculations uncover a dual-site mechanism in which interfacial Ru atoms promote NH 3 dissociation and adjacent Ru sites facilitate 2H* recombination and H 2 desorption. This cooperative interaction between metal NPs and the BNNT support underpins the outstanding catalytic performance and durability observed. In conclusion, the findings highlight the strategic potential of BNNTs as versatile supports for high-performance and stable catalysts in sustainable H 2 energy conversion and related catalytic processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ion transport and ultra-efficient osmotic power generation in boron nitride nanotube porins

Nanotube porins form transmembrane nanomaterial-derived scaffolds that mimic the geometry and functionality of biological membrane channels. We report synthesis, transport properties, and osmotic energy harvesting performance of another member of the nanotube porin family: boron nitride nanotube porins (BNNTPs). Cryo–transmission electron microscopy imaging, liposome transport assays, and DNA translocation experiments show that BNNTPs reconstitute into lipid membranes to form functional channels of ~2-nm diameter. Ion transport studies reveal ion conductance characteristics of individual BNNTPs, which show an unusual C 1/4 scaling with ion concentration and pronounced pH sensitivity. Reversal potential measurements indicate that BNNTPs have strong cation selectivity at neutral pH, attributable to the high negative charge on the channel. BNNTPs also deliver very large power density up to 12 kW/m 2 in the osmotic gradient transport experiments at neutral pH, surpassing that of other BNNT-based devices by two orders of magnitude under similar conditions. Our results suggest that BNNTPs are a promising platform for mass transport and osmotic power generation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

An OVERVIEW of MICROPHONICS in CEBAF and CURRENT MODERATION TECHNIQUES

Superconducting RF (SRF) structures are susceptible to frequency detuning from external vibrations and modal mechanical resonances in the structure. These small disturbances, known as microphonics, require additional RF power in CW accelerating structures since the frequency is constantly shifting. In the Jefferson Lab CEBAF accelerator, time and frequency data of this frequency shift have been recorded for many years, allowing a retrospective analysis of different microphonics-mitigation techniques. Some of these techniques are specific to the design of each CEBAF cryomodule, for example implementing BNNT damping material on the cavity string. Other techniques are universal such as affixing vacuum lines and reinforcing waveguide structures.

Powers, Tom↗