Nanoscale oxygen generators: MgO2-based fillings of BN nanotubes

Dmitri Golberg, Yoshio Bando, Keita Fushimi, Masanori Mitome, Laure Bourgeois, Cheng Chun Tang

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37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Boron nitride (BN) nanotubes having only tens of nanometers in diameter and open tip-ends were uniformly filled with a MgO2-based material. The crystal structures and chemical compositions of the tubes and filling media were analyzed using high-resolution and energy-filtered electron microscopy, electron diffraction, electron energy loss, and energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy. A low melting point (∼88°C) and easy decomposition of the filling inside the tubes under moderate heating, e.g., during in-situ electron irradiation in an electron microscope, and/or just during room temperature aging, may generate a spatially localized oxygen outflow from the nanotubes. The MgO2-filled material is uniquely characterized by a stable oxygen release rate with long release term. Thus the first nanotube-based oxygen generator has been realized.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8726-8729
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume107
Issue number34
Publication statusPublished - 28 Aug 2003

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