title: Boron-Filled Hybrid Carbon Nanotubes.
abstract: A unique nanoheterostructure, a boron-filled hybrid carbon nanotube (BHCNT), has been synthesized using a one-step chemical vapor deposition process. The BHCNTs can be considered to be a novel form of boron carbide consisting of boron doped, distorted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) encapsulating boron nanowires. These MWCNTs were found to be insulating in spite of their graphitic layered outer structures. While conventional MWCNTs have great axial strength, they have weak radial compressive strength, and do not bond well to one another or to other materials. In contrast, BHCNTs are shown to be up to 31% stiffer and 233% stronger than conventional MWCNTs in radial compression and have excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. The corrugated surface of BHCNTs enables them to bond easily to themselves and other materials, in contrast to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). BHCNTs can, therefore, be used to make nanocomposites, nanopaper sheets, and bundles that are stronger than those made with CNTs.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Rajen B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Multiscale Imaging, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, USA.
authors.forename: Tsengming
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Alokik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Apigo
authors.affiliation: Hysitron Incorporated, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York City, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iqbal