Phonon characteristics and cathodolumininescence of boron nitride nanotubes

Large quantities of highly pure boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are synthesized through a carbon-free method. Nanotube phonon features are investigated by Raman and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopies. Both methods indicate highly pure boron nitride phase. Intense ultraviolet light emission is observed when BNNTs are excited by an electron beam, which indicates that the present BNNTs have potential applications in ultraviolet optical devices.