Amine-functionalized boron nitride nanotubes

The surface of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) has been functionalized with amine groups via ammonia plasma irradiation. The functionalized tubes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Amine-functionalized BNNTs were found to be highly dispersible in chloroform, and are predicted to form the basis of a new class of chemically reactive nanostructures.     

Adsorption of TCDD molecule onto CNTs and BNNTs: Ab initio van der Waals density-functional study

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCCD) is one of the most dangerous compounds that infect the environment and hence its removal is crucial for safety in human life. In this work, we have investigated the interaction of TCDD with boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our first-principles results have been validated by experiment and also other theoretical values for the similar system. The adsorption energies for TCDD molecule on the BNNTs and CNT are calculated. It was found that TCDD adsorption ability of BNNT is slightly stronger than that of CNT and TCDD molecule prefers to be adsorbed on BNNTs with molecular axis parallel to the tube axis. The results obtained indicate that TCDD is weakly bound to the outer surface of all the considered nanotubes and the obtained adsorption energy values and binding distance are typical for the physisorption. We also evaluated the influence of curvature and introduced defects on the TCDD adsorption ability of BNNTs. Furthermore, we have analyzed the electronic structure and charge population for the energetically most favorable complexes and the results indicate that no significant hybridization between the respective orbitals of the two entities was accomplished.     

Enhanced thermal–mechanical properties of polymer composites with hybrid boron nitride nanofillers

The present work focuses on the investigation of the thermal–mechanical properties of the epoxy composites with hybrid boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs). The stable dispersions of BNNTs–BNNSs were achieved by a noncovalent functionalization with pyrene carboxylic acid. The resulting epoxy/BNNTs–BNNSs composites exhibited homogeneously dispersed BNNTs–BNNSs and a strong filler–matrix interface interaction. The composites showed a 95 % increase in thermal conductivity and a 57 % improvement in Young’s modulus by addition of only 1 vol. % BNNTs–BNNSs. Meanwhile, the composites also retained a high electrical resistance of pure epoxy. Our study thus shows the potential for hybrid BNNTs–BNNSs to be successfully used as the nanofillers of polymer composites for applications in electrically insulating thermal interface materials.     

Adsorption of HCN molecules on Ni,Pd and Pt-doped (7, 0) boron nitride nanotube: a DFT study

We studied affinity of pure and Ni, Pd and Pt-doped (7, 0) boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) to toxic HCN molecules using density functional theory calculations. The results indicated that the pure (7, 0) BNNTs can weakly adsorb HCN molecules with adsorption energy of ?0.2474 eV. Upon adsorption of HCN molecules on this nanotube, the band gap energy was decreased from 3.320 to 2.960 eV. The more negative adsorption energy between these transition metal-doped (7, 0) BNNTs and HCN molecules indicated that doping of (7, 0) BNNTs with Ni, Pd and Pt elements can significantly improve the affinity of BNNTs toward this gas. Additionally, it was found that the interaction energy between HCN molecules and Pt-doped BNNTs is more negative than those of the Ni and Pd-doped BNNTs. These observations suggested that the Pt-doped (7, 0) BNNTs are strongly sensitive to HCN molecules and therefore it may be used in gas sensor devices for detecting this toxic gas.     

Density functional study of zigzag BN nanotubes with equivalent ends

A density functional theory (DFT) study was performed on representative model of zigzag boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with equivalent ends. Two models of (6,0) BNNTs were considered in the calculations in which a belt composed of carbon atoms was substituted instead of boron and nitrogen atoms in the middle of the nanotube. Hence, model 1 was created with two equivalent B-ends and model 2 was created with two equivalent N-ends. The optimization process and also the calculated electric field gradient (EFG) tensors in two models of BNNT remarkably revealed that the electronic structure properties of those nuclei located at the end of nanotube are duplicated in the considered models of BNNTs. The calculations were performed at the level BLYP method and 6-31G* standard basis set using GAUSSIAN 98 package of program.     

Functionalization of BN nanotubes with free radicals: electroaffinity-independent configuration and band structure engineering

The preferable configuration and electronic structure of several types of free radical functionalized boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were investigated by using density functional theory computations. All the free radicals have strong interaction with B atom in the tube, in spite of the electroaffinity of the radicals. However, though a large charge is transferred from tubes to NH₂, OH or CN radicals, little change happens to the electronic structure of BNNTs, while COOH and COCl radicals introduce half-filled impurity levels around the Fermi level. Higher functionalization concentration leads to multiple impurity states around the Fermi level, and makes BNNTs p-type semiconductors.      

Heat capacity and magnetic phase transitions of rare-earth orthoferrite HoFeO3

Heat capacity of two rare-earth orthoferrites HoFeO₃ and LuFeO₃ were measured between 1.8 and 200 K. A distinctly large and two small heat capacity anomalies were detected for HoFeO₃ under zero magnetic field around 3.3, 53 and 58 K, respectively. The low-temperature anomaly with a peak at 3.3 K is due to the ordering of Ho³⁺ ions and the estimated magnetic entropy for this transition was favorably compared with the expected (R ln 2). Application of magnetic field significantly affects the positions and the magnitudes of the anomaly at 3.3 K. Energies of low-lying levels of the lowest J-term of Ho³⁺ ion were roughly estimated through analysis of the Schottky heat capacity.     

Theoretical explorations on the armchair BN nanotube with defects

A systematic study of armchair boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with defects has been carried out within density functional theory. The effect brought by the defects is localized. The defect sites have major contribution to the frontier molecular orbital and change the conductivity of the BNNTs. The defect sites are reactive centers. The substitution of boron with carbon enhances the field emission of the tubes. Doping or vacancy defect creates active center on nanotubes, thus broadening the applications of nanotubes in chemistry and material sciences through functionalization.     

Boron nitride nanotubes composed of four- and eight-membered rings

The properties of boron nitride nanotubes composed of four- and eight-membered rings (referred to as four-eight-membered rings BNNTs) were calculated using density functional theory (DFT). The calculated results show that the band gap of the four-eight-membered rings BNNTs is greatly reduced, down to a range of 2.530–3.975 eV. The band gap decreases as the number of walls increases, not only enabling the allotropes to show semiconductor properties but also to fully meet the third-generation semiconductor band gap requirements, furthermore, the band gap decreases significantly with the number of walls increases.     

Multitudinous industrialized fabrication of BNNT with high-energy ball milling and arc-discharge-aided template methods

A novel large-scale fabrication technology for single-walled boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) relying on a template of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) was introduced. In order to obtain large-scale product, the high-energy ball milling-aided heating technology was used to promote the formation of BNNTs. And arc-discharge methods were used to provide nitrogen ion source. The products were oxidized at 800 °C in air atmosphere to obtain pure BNNTs. The structure and morphology of BNNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The multitudinous industrialized preparation methods for BNNTs were realized as a simple and effective route.     

A DFT study for adsorption of CO on Ni,Pd and Pt atoms doped (7, 0) boron nitride nanotube

By using density functional theory calculations, we investigated the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption on the pure, Ni, Pd and Pt doped atoms in zigzag single-walled (7, 0) boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The results indicated that compared to the pure (7, 0) BNNTs, replacing B atom by Ni, Pd and Pt atoms can significantly increase the adsorption energy of CO gas on the BNNTs. The adsorption energies of CO gas on the pure (7, 0) Ni, Pd and Pt doped (7, 0) BNNTs are ?0.2013, ?1.746, ?1.593 and ?2.257 eV, respectively. Our results revealed that in comparison with the pure (7, 0) BNNTs, CO gas is chemisorbed on the transition metal doped (7, 0) BNNTs with the appreciable adsorption energy. In addition, it was found that by doping these atoms, band gap energy of the pure (7, 0) BNNTs is considerably decreased. These observations suggested that the Pt doped (7, 0) BNNTs can be introduced as a promising candidate in gas sensor devices for detecting CO gas.     

Electronic structure,phase stability,and vibrational properties of Ir-based intermetallic compound IrX (X=Al,Sc, and Ga)

The phase stability and mechanical properties of B2 type IrX (X=Al, Sc and Ga) compounds are investigated. Self-consistenttotal-energy calculations in the framework of density functional theory using the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) to determine the equations of state and the elastic constants of IrX (X=Al, Sc, and Ga) in the B2 phase have been performed. The calculations predicted the equilibrium lattice constants, which are about 1% greater than experiments for IrAl, 1.81% for IrGa, and 0.71% for IrSc compound. IrAl is shown to be the least compressible, and it is followed by IrGa and the IrSc compound. The phase stability of the studied compounds is checked. The brittleness and ductility properties of IrX (X=Al, Sc, and Ga) are determined by Poisson's ratio σ criterion and Pugh's criterion. IrGa compound is a ductile material; however, IrAl and IrSc show brittleness. The band structure and density of states (DOS), and phonon dispersion curves have been obtained and analyzed. The position of the Fermi level and the contribution of d electrons to the density of states near E_F is studied and discussed in detail. We also used the phonon density of states and quasiharmonic approximation to calculate and predict some thermodynamic properties such as constant-volume specific heat capacity of the B2 phase of IrX (X=Al, Sc and Ga) compounds.     

Heat capacity of Heusler alloys: Ferromagnetic Ni2MnSb,Ni2MnSn,NiMnSb and antiferromagnetic CuMnSb

We report the results of the investigation of the specific heat of the ferromagnetic Heusler Ni₂MnSn, Ni₂MnSb, NiMnSb and antiferromagnetic CuMnSb alloys. The low-temperature behaviour of the specific heat may be described as C=γT+βT³ for ferromagnetic compounds and as C=γT+δ T²+βT³ for antiferromagnetic CuMnSb. The values of the density of states from the heat capacity measurements are higher than those from electronic band structure calculations. Debye temperatures are in a good agreement with those obtained from thermal expansion measurements. The Grüneisen parameter is calculated for Ni₂MnSn and CuMnSb from the magnetic contribution to the specific heat in the vicinity of T_C or T_N.     

Boron nitride nanotubes with quadrangular cross sections: Density functional studies

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to investigate the availabilities and properties of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with quadrangular cross sections. To achieve the purposes, the original structure of a representative BNNT was individually decorated by the carbon and silicon atoms to make the C-BNNT and Si-BNNT models. The sp³ hybridizations were set for the C and Si atoms to make possible the formation of the quadrangular cross sections for the BNNTs. The optimized results indicated that the investigated models could be stabilized; however, they showed different properties. The atomic scale properties based on computations of quadrupole coupling constants (C_Q) also approved different properties for the C-BNNT and Si-BNNT models. Moreover, the C_Q parameters indicated that the properties of C-BNNT could be considered similar to the original BNNT; however, more discrepancies were observed for the Si-BNNT.     

Effect of boron on order-disorder transformation of some heat-treated Cu-Ni-Zn-Mn alloys

Atomic ordering of the alloy Cu_3.23NiZn_1.27Mn_0.016 was studied for different heat-treatment conditions. The effect of addition of boron (0–1 at %) on the order-disorder transformation was tested. Heat capacity measurement techniques were used to follow the progress of the solid state order-disorder transformation. The C_p values were measured during cooling or heating of heat treated specimens (3 hr, 1073 K) using a Perkin-Elmer DSC-2 calorimeter. The experimental results show that there exists a minimum and/or a maximum in the specific heat curve, C_p(T) vs T. These critical values (min. or max. C_p, together with the temperature ranges in which the solid-state transformations (order/disorder) occur, depend on both the heat-treatment and the boron content of the alloy.     

Molecular-dynamics simulation of defect formation energy in boron nitride nanotubes

We investigate the defect formation energy of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) using molecular dynamics simulation. Although the defect with tetragon–octagon pairs (TOP) is favored in the flat BNNTs cap, BN clusters, and the growth of BNNTs, the formation energy of the TOP defect is significantly higher than that of the pentagon–heptagon pairs (PHP) defect in BNNTs. The PHP defect reduces the effect of the structural distortion caused by the TOP defect, in spite of homoelemental bonds. The instability of the TOP defect generates the structural transformation into BNNTs with no defect at about 1500 K. This mechanism shows that the TOP defect is less favored in case of BNNTs.     

Magnetic contribution to heat capacity and entropy of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4)

The heat capacity of nickel ferrite was measured as a function of temperature from 50 to 1200 °C using a differential scanning calorimeter. A thermal anomaly was observed at 584.9 °C, the expected Curie temperature, T_C. The observed behavior was interpreted by recognizing the sum of three contributions: (1) lattice (vibrational), (2) a spin wave (magnetic) component and (3) a λ-transition (antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition) at the Curie temperature. The first was modeled using vibrational frequencies derived from an experimentally-based IR absorption spectrum, while the second was modeled using a spin wave analysis that provided a T^3/2 dependency in the low-temperature limit, but incorporated an exchange interaction between cation spins in the octahedral and tetrahedral sites at elevated temperatures, as first suggested by Grimes [15]. The λ-transition was fitted to an Inden-type model which consisted of two truncated power law series in dimensionless temperature (T/T_C). Exponential equality (m=n=7) was observed below and above T_C, indicating symmetry about the Curie temperature. Application of the methodology to existing heat capacity data for other transition metal ferrites (AFe₂O₄, A=Fe, Co) revealed nearly the same exponential equality, i.e., m=n=5.     

Structural, electronic, elastic and thermal properties of Mg2Si

First-principles calculations of the lattice parameter, electron density maps, density of states and elastic constants of Mg₂Si are reported. The lattice parameter is found to differ by less than 0.8% from the experimental data. Calculations of density of states and electron density maps are also performed to describe the orbital mixing and the nature of chemical bonding. Our results indicate that the bonding interactions in the Mg₂Si crystal are more covalent than ionic. The quasi-harmonic Debye model, by means of total energy versus volume calculations obtained with the plane-wave pseudopotential method, is applied to study the elastic, thermal and vibrational effects. The variations of bulk modulus, Grüneisen parameter, Debye temperature, heat capacity C_v, C_p and entropy with pressure P up to 7 GPa in the temperature interval 0-1300 K have been systemically investigated. Significant differences in properties are observed at high pressure and high temperature. When T<1300 K, the calculated entropy and heat capacity agree reasonably with available experimental data. Therefore, the present results indicate that the combination of first-principles and quasi-harmonic Debye model is an efficient approach to simulate the behavior of Mg₂Si.     

A comparison between the mechanical and thermal properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes and boron nitride nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are semimetallic while boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are wide band gap insulators. Despite the discrepancy in their electrical properties, a comparison between the mechanical and thermal properties of CNTs and BNNTs has a significant research value for their potential applications. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to systematically investigate the mechanical and thermal properties of CNTs and BNNTs. The calculated Young’s modulus is about 1.1 TPa for CNTs and 0.72 TPa for BNNTs under axial compressions. The critical bucking strain and maximum stress are inversely proportional to both diameter and length-diameter ratio and CNTs are identified axially stiffer than BNNTs. Thermal conductivities of (10, 0) CNTs and (10, 0) BNNTs follow similar trends with respect to length and temperature and are lower than that of their two-dimensional counterparts, graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and BN nanoribbons (BNNRs), respectively. As the temperature falls below 200 K (130 K) the thermal conductivity of BNNTs (BNNRs) is larger than that of CNTs (GNRs), while at higher temperature it is lower than the latter. In addition, thermal conductivities of a (10, 0) CNT and a (10, 0) BNNT are further studied and analyzed under various axial compressive strains. Low-frequency phonons which mainly come from flexure modes are believed to make dominant contribution to the thermal conductivity of CNTs and BNNTs.     

A re-evaluation of the heat capacity of cerium zirconate (Ce2Zr2O7)

The heat capacity of cerium zirconate pyrochlore, Ce₂Zr₂O₇, was measured from 0.4 to 305 K by hybrid adiabatic relaxation method for various magnetic field strengths. Magnetisation measurements were performed on the sample also. The results revealed a low-temperature anomaly that showed Schottky-type characteristics with increasing magnetic field strength. The estimated entropy due to the magnetic ordering of the two Ce³⁺ moments is 1.37R, close to the theoretical value for a doublet ground state (1.39R). The enthalpy increments relative to 298.15 K were measured by drop calorimetry from 531 to 1556 K. The obtained results significantly differ from those reported in the literature; the origin of the discrepancy is due to the probable oxidation of the pyrochlore structure into fluorite.