Liquid crystals of neat boron nitride nanotubes and their assembly into ordered macroscopic materials

Cedric J. Simonsen Ginestra, Cecilia Martínez-Jiménez, Asia Matatyaho Ya’akobi, Oliver S. Dewey, Ashleigh D. Smith McWilliams, Robert J. Headrick, Jesus A. Acapulco, Lyndsey R. Scammell, Michael W. Smith, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Daniel M. Marincel, Cheol Park, Sang-Hyon Chu, Yeshayahu Talmon, Angel A. Martí () and Matteo Pasquali ()
Additional contact information
Cedric J. Simonsen Ginestra: Rice University
Cecilia Martínez-Jiménez: Rice University
Asia Matatyaho Ya’akobi: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Oliver S. Dewey: Rice University
Ashleigh D. Smith McWilliams: Rice University
Robert J. Headrick: Rice University
Jesus A. Acapulco: Rice University
Lyndsey R. Scammell: BNNT Materials, LLC
Michael W. Smith: BNNT Materials, LLC
Dmitry V. Kosynkin: Rice University
Daniel M. Marincel: Rice University
Cheol Park: NASA Langley Research Center
Sang-Hyon Chu: National Institute of Aerospace
Yeshayahu Talmon: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Angel A. Martí: Rice University
Matteo Pasquali: Rice University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have attracted attention for their predicted extraordinary properties; yet, challenges in synthesis and processing have stifled progress on macroscopic materials. Recent advances have led to the production of highly pure BNNTs. Here we report that neat BNNTs dissolve in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) and form birefringent liquid crystal domains at concentrations above 170 ppmw. These tactoidal domains merge into millimeter-sized regions upon light sonication in capillaries. Cryogenic electron microscopy directly shows nematic alignment of BNNTs in solution. BNNT liquid crystals can be processed into aligned films and extruded into neat BNNT fibers. This study of nematic liquid crystals of BNNTs demonstrates their ability to form macroscopic materials to be used in high-performance applications.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30378-5

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