# Two-Dimensional Binary Superlattice of BNNT-Surfactant Vesicle Complex Induced by Electrostatic Interaction

## TL;DR

Scientists created a highly ordered 2D structure of boron nitride nanotubes and surfactant vesicles using electrostatic interactions.

## Contribution

This is the first demonstration of fabricating ordered superstructures of negatively charged BNNTs with positively charged surfactant vesicles.

## Key findings

- A 2D binary superlattice was formed through electrostatic interactions between BNNTs and surfactant vesicles.
- Two distinct structures were observed: an intercalated lamellar phase and an AB3 triangular arrangement.
- The ordered superstructures depend on the surface charge density and mass ratio of the components.

## Abstract

For a wide range of practical applications of boron nitride
nanotubes
(BNNTs), it is essential to achieve their highly ordered self-assembled
structures. This study reports on a two-dimensional (2D) binary superlattice
of individually exfoliated BNNTs with a negative surface charge (p-BNNT25)
and cationic surfactant vesicles (CTAT/SDBS vesicles, prepared by
mixing cetyltrimethylammonium tosylate (CTAT) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate
(SDBS)) complexes through electrostatic interactions. Depending on
the surface charge density of the CTAT/SDBS vesicles and the mass
ratio between the CTAT/SDBS vesicle and p-BNNT25, the CTAT/SDBS-BNNT
complexes formed highly ordered superstructures. These structures
include an intercalated lamellar phase with a centered rectangular
structure (ICLP), in which a 2D array of p-BNNT25 is inserted into
the multilamellar structure, and an AB3 structure, in which
the BNNTs are surrounded by surfactant micelles in a triangular arrangement.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the
fabrication of highly ordered superstructures of individually exfoliated
and negatively charged BNNTs with positively charged surfactant vesicles
through electrostatic interactions. This approach for the 2D binary
superlattices of CTAT/SDBS-BNNT complexes induced by electrostatic
interactions is expected to be beneficial for a wide range of one-dimensional
(1D) nanoparticle applications.