Scaled synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes, nanoribbons, and nanococoons using direct feedstock injection into an extended-pressure, inductively-coupled thermal plasma.

A variable pressure (up to 10 atm) powder/gas/liquid injection inductively coupled plasma system has been developed and used to produce high-quality boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) at continuous production rates of 35 g/h. Under suitable conditions, collapsed BN nanotubes (i.e., nanoribbons), and closed shell BN capsules (i.e., nanococoons) are also obtained. The process is adaptable to a large variety of feedstock materials.