Zettl, A. (Berkley, USA): Experiments on C and BN NTs containing nanoparticles
Different from graphite that there is some charge transfer between Boron and Nitrogen.
Original prediction: you coudn't really cap a BN NT.
Stability: should be more stable than C.
C: semimetal; BN: 5.8 eV gap semiconductor.
First produced by arc. BN pressed into tungsten rod. Poor yield.
With Ni catalyst: lot of 2 wall BN tubes! Can also produce ropes. Gets also a junk of uniform size nanoparticles.
In TEM pictures a structure is seen betwen the tube walls. This is not inside the tube but it is a Moire pattern of the walls! Seen also on C tubes but much more faintly