Emerging Applications of Boron Nitride Nanotubes in Energy Harvesting, Electronics, and Biomedicine

Abstract

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are structurally and mechanically similar to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In contrast, BNNTs exhibit unique properties for being electrically insulating and optically transparent due to the polarized boron nitride bonds. All these properties have prevented the use of BNNTs for energy harvesting and electronic devices for more than 25 years. During the past few years, researchers have started to demonstrate a series of novel applications of BNNTs based on unique properties not found on CNTs. For example, these novel applications include osmotic power harvesting using the charged inner surfaces of BNNTs, room-temperature single-electron transistors using insulating BNNTs as the tunneling channels, high-brightness fluorophores that can be 1000-times brighter than regular dyes, and transistors based on Tellurium atomic chains filled inside BNNTs. We have reviewed some of these emerging applications and provided our perspective for future work.

Figure 1

Graphical representations of some emerging applications of BNNTs. Some of the subgraphics are reprinted in part with permission from (5). Copyright 2008 Institute of Physics Publishing; from ref (11). Copyright 2016 Springer Nature; from (12). Copyright 2015 Springer Nature; from (16). Copyright 2020 Springer Nature; from ref (17). Copyright 2012 American Chemical Society; and from www.stabiluxbiosciences.com, Copyright 2016 StabiLux Biosciences, Inc.

Figure 2

Graphical illustration of fluorescent brightness versus wavelength of two adjacent spectra in traditional low-brightness dyes (a, b) and high-brightness fluorophores (c, d). Fluorescent brightness versus wavelength of a series of adjacent spectra with high noise levels in (e) traditional low-brightness dyes and (f) high-brightness fluorophores. Adopted with permission from www.stabiluxbiosciences.com, Copyright 2016 StabiLux Biosciences, Inc.

Figure 3

(a) Schematic of conjugating a DSPE-PEG-NH3 linker with to FITC molecule to form a dye-linker. (b) Schematic of conjugating a series of dye-linkers on a BNNTs. Adopted from ref (15). Copyright from StabiLux Biosciences, Inc. 2018.