The thermal limits of boron nitride nanotubes

(Nanowerk Information) A staff of FAMU-FSU Faculty of Engineering researchers on the Excessive-Efficiency Supplies Institute is exploring the thermal limits of superior nanomaterials, work that might have a direct affect on medication supply methods, electronics, house journey and different purposes. The analysis staff, led by Assistant Professor in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Rebekah Sweat, accomplished the first-ever research on how purified boron nitride nanotubes stay secure in excessive temperatures in inert environments. Their work was revealed within the journal Utilized Nano Supplies (“Excessive Thermal Stability and Dissociation Mechanisms of Purified Boron Nitride Nanotubes: Implications for Excessive-Temperature Nanocomposites”). Boron nitride nanotube materials in a crucible for heating at Florida State College’s Excessive-Efficiency Supplies Institute. (Picture: Mark Wallheiser, FAMU-FSU Engineering) Boron nitride nanotubes, or BNNTs, are stronger and extra immune to excessive temperatures than carbon nanotubes. Like their carbon cousins, they’re constructions measured by the nanometer — a size equal to one-billionth of a meter. However manufacturing these supplies is difficult. Present strategies for BNNTs are newer and don’t but produce the identical portions as strategies devised for carbon nanotubes. That’s why studying extra about how they operate is vital. The researchers discovered that BNNTs are totally secure at as much as 1800°C in an inert setting, the chemically inactive ambiance by which they’re manufactured. In addition they discovered that BNNTs can face up to temperatures at 2200 °C for brief intervals with out shedding the mechanical properties that make them so efficient. “This analysis is about uncovering a property that’s extremely helpful for the long run,” Sweat stated. “We now have a extra sturdy data of how BNNTs carry out when and the way they thermally fail – as a result of all supplies do have limitations. We now have modified how we make these kind of composites to raised make the most of their properties.” Potential purposes for these gentle, sturdy composite supplies are quite a few. Something that will get sizzling, like a turbine or engine, would possibly use them to operate in a high-temperature setting. They’re thermally conducting, which suggests they unfold warmth out shortly, and their mechanical stability gives structural reinforcement. BNNTs present specific promise for his or her use in house exploration. Their skill to conduct warmth, insulate electrical present and block radiation may very well be utilized in house rovers or a spacecraft throughout reentry to Earth’s ambiance. Those self same properties additionally make them helpful for high-performance electronics. “Understanding the conduct of those nanotubes at excessive temperatures is essential for creating supplies that may face up to excessive situations, each in manufacturing and of their last use,” stated lead creator and doctoral scholar Mehul Tank. “As we perceive higher how they operate in these situations, we’ll be capable of develop higher manufacturing of composites that make use of high-temperature processing matrices, like ceramics and metals.” This work was partially funded by a grant earned from FSU’s GAP Commercialization Funding Program, an occasion organized by the Workplace of Commercialization to assist rework tutorial analysis into potential business initiatives. The funding that Sweat obtained in 2022 by means of the Workplace of Commercialization’s aggressive software course of supported the part of this work that uncovered the processing temperatures for BNNT-ceramic matrix composites that’s the focus of the GAP undertaking. Together with the GAP funding, this research was additionally supported by means of a partnership with the Virginia-based firm BNNT Supplies. The corporate synthesizes BNNTs and labored with Florida State College researchers to uncover how the nanotubes survived excessive temperatures and the way completely different chemistries will carry out. “GAP has helped my staff discover new avenues and inspired collaboration to maneuver this work additional,” Sweat stated. “The appliance course of and emphasis on translating analysis from the lab to supplies which are related for trade helps focus our analysis on thrilling rising applied sciences.”