Fluorination and electrical conductivity of BN nanotubes

Barium nitride nanotubes uniformly doped with fluorine have been grown by a novel catalytic method during which the growth of the nanotubes and doping occur at the same time. Examination by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicates that the six－numbered BN atomic rings within the BN sheets are strongly destroyed due to the fluoridation and the walls of the nanotubes are composed of highly curled continuous BN sheets. Compared to pure BN nanotubes, the conductivity of fluoridated nanotubes is significantly enhanced, resulting in a typical heavily－doped semiconductor.