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

Simonsen Ginestra, Cedric J.; Martínez-Jiménez, Cecilia; Matatyaho Ya’akobi, Asia; Dewey, Oliver S.; Smith McWilliams, Ashleigh D.; Headrick, Robert J.; Acapulco, Jesus A.; Scammell, Lyndsey R.; Smith, Michael W.; Kosynkin, Dmitry V.; Marincel, Daniel M.; Park, Cheol; Chu, Sang-Hyon; Talmon, Yeshayahu; Martí, Angel A.; Pasquali, Matteo

doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30378-5

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

Journal Article · 06 June 2022 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30378-5 · OSTI ID:1871352

;

; Matatyaho Ya’akobi, Asia;

; Smith McWilliams, Ashleigh D.;

; Acapulco, Jesus A.;

; Smith, Michael W.; Kosynkin, Dmitry V.;

; Park, Cheol; Chu, Sang-Hyon; Talmon, Yeshayahu;

;

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.

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Research Organization:: Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E); Welch Foundation

Grant/Contract Number:: AR0001015

OSTI ID:: 1871352

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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

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