Abstract
Boron-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been prepared through a partial substitution reaction, where some carbon atoms of CNTs are substituted by boron atoms. Boron oxide vapor reacts with CNTs to form B
x
C (
x≤0.10) nanotubes at 1373 K in 4 h under an argon atmosphere. The B
x
C nanotubes have diameters and lengths similar to those of the starting CNTs. Boron is seen to enhance the graphitization of CNTs. B
4C and B
13C
2 crystalline nanorods are also formed, with typical diameters between 6 and 30 nm. It is suggested the synthetic method described here might be used to produce a large class of new doping CNTs.