Induction-coupled plasma synthesis of boron nitrade nanotubes
First Claim
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1. A process for synthesizing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), the process comprising:
- feeding nitrogen gas into a chamber having a boron-containing feedstock;
heating the nitrogen gas and boron-containing feedstock with an induction-coupled plasma to form heated reactants in a growth zone, the growth zone downstream of the induction coupled plasma;
maintaining a growth zone temperature at a temperature above the melting point of boron and below the boiling point of boron; and
collecting, in a collection zone downstream of the growth zone, BNNTs forming from the heated reactants in the growth zone.
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Abstract
Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.
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20 Claims
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1. A process for synthesizing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), the process comprising:
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feeding nitrogen gas into a chamber having a boron-containing feedstock; heating the nitrogen gas and boron-containing feedstock with an induction-coupled plasma to form heated reactants in a growth zone, the growth zone downstream of the induction coupled plasma; maintaining a growth zone temperature at a temperature above the melting point of boron and below the boiling point of boron; and collecting, in a collection zone downstream of the growth zone, BNNTs forming from the heated reactants in the growth zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for synthesizing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) from an induction-coupled plasma, the process comprising:
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introducing nitrogen and a boron-containing feedstock into a chamber to form a reactant feed; passing the reactant feed through an induction-coupled plasma; heating, with the induction-coupled plasma, the reactant feed to a temperature sufficient to form a heated reactant having vaporized boron; passing the heated reactant feed through a grown zone downstream of the induction-coupled plasma; maintaining a temperature in the growth zone at a temperature above the melting point of boron and below the boiling point of boron; and collecting BNNTs forming from the heated reactants in the growth zone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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