Chemisorption of NH3 at the open ends of boron nitride nanotubes: a DFT study

Considering the thermodynamic aspects and reaction pathways of chemical adsorption of NH₃ molecule at the open ends of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), theoretically, it was found that the open-ended BNNTs are able to cleave the N–H bond of NH₃ via a one- or two-stepwise mechanism. The N-enriched and B-enriched open-ended BNNTs show a nucleophilic and electrophilic behavior toward the NH₃, respectively. Besides, some effects of this chemical adsorption on the electronic properties of BNNTs were explored.