Electronic and optical properties of the H2O adsorbed the B-N-C nanotubes

We investigate the structures and properties of boron/nitrogen co-doped carbon nanotube with water molecules adsorbing. The electronic and optical properties of the systems are calculated by using the first-principles theory in detail. The results reveal that the doped nanotubes show hydrophilic behavior when the oxygen atoms are close to the nanotubes. The Mulliken charges redistribute and transfer between the doped carbon nanotubes and the water molecules. The band gaps of the nanotubes vary with the positions of H₂O. The positions and intensities of the reflectivity peaks are affected by the distributions of boron/nitrogen atoms and the positions of water molecules. The investigations are beneficial to further biological applications of co-doped nanotubes.