Abstract
Aligned multi-walled nanotubes composed of B/C/N and/or B/N atoms were synthesized by reacting chemical-vapor-deposition-grown C nanotubes or pyrolitically grown CN
x
nanotubes, boron oxide and nitrogen at 1773–2200
K. We note that by increasing the reacting temperature, the overall B–N content within the tubular assemblies is also enhanced. The nanostructures were studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, spatially resolved energy-filtered TEM (Omega filter) and electron energy loss spectroscopy. An oxidation-driven mechanism of B–N enrichment within the C-based tubular templates has been proposed and verified by the experimental observations.