“Surface-Like Growth” Strategy for the Direct Synthesis of Horizontally Aligned Boron Nitride Nanotubes

The inherent properties of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) can be further enhanced through the control of their anisotropy. In particular, horizontally aligned BNNTs (HABNNTs) exhibit considerable potential for various applications. However, directly synthesizing HABNNTs is difficult owing to the random floating of BNNTs and the absence of directional forces. Here, we employed a simple, efficient, and universal “surface-like growth” strategy to synthesize high-density and high-quality HABNNTs in the W2B5/Zn precursor system. First, the floating range of BNNTs was restricted to the vicinity of the precursor, and then, directional forces were applied to induce BNNT directional growth along the substrate surface. Experiments and simulations confirmed that the HABNNT orientation could be controlled through manipulation of the directional forces. Furthermore, the strategy was employed for HABNNTs synthesis using the MoB2/Zn, further demonstrating the universality of the approach. Overall, this work offers a fresh perspective on the synthesis of HABNNTs, further expanding their potential applications.