Abstract
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were selectively synthesized on patterned bilayer (Fe/Al) catalysts by the plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) method. The as-grown nanotubes comprise both coaxial and cup-stacking tubular structures. Optical transitions on cup-stacking BNNTs are investigated for the first time. The observed red-shift of free excitonic luminescence was attributed to the excitonic recombination in terms of defect trapping in the tube's surface. The O 2 additives during the synthetic process were found to balance the excess H radicals that in turn enhance the growth yield of BNNTs. Moreover, our elemental mapping results provide direct evidence of the metal catalytic mechanism and the influence of the as-formed Al 2 O 3 underlayer. © 2009 American Chemical Society.