Encapsulation of the Graphene Nanoribbon Precursor 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene in Boron Nitride Nanotubes at Room Temperature

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the encapsulation of a graphene nanoribbon precursor inside boron nitride nanotubes at room temperature, using liquid phase methods, and characterizes the resulting nanostructures with advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a novel room-temperature encapsulation method for graphene nanoribbon precursors within boron nitride nanotubes and provides detailed structural and optical characterization.

Findings

Successful encapsulation of precursor inside nanotubes

Observation of nanoribbon features in Raman spectra

Confirmation of carbon material inside nanotubes

Abstract

Graphene nanoribbons are prepared inside boron nitride nanotubes by liquid phase encapsulation and subsequent annealing of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. The product is imaged with high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and characterized by optical absorption and Raman spectroscopy. Carbon-containing material is detected inside the boron nitride nanotubes with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The observed structures twist under the electron beam and the characteristic features of nanoribbons appear in the Raman spectra.