The mechanical and electrical behaviour of boron nitride nanotubes: Insight from in-situ transmission electron microscopy investigation

氮化硼纳米管是一类新兴的无机纳米管，具有良好的绝缘性、优异的热稳定性、高的导热系数和优异的力学性能，包括超高的强度和弹性模量，这是传统材料所不能比拟的。本项目旨在应用最先进的原位透射电子显微镜技术，探索力学性能与氮化硼纳米管尺寸、形貌和结构的关系，以及机械应变对电学性能的影响，为通过纳米管增强复合材料提供机会，并通过应变工程调节纳米管的电学和光电性能。

Boron nitride nanotubes are an emerging class of inorganic nanotubes with insulating property, exceptional thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties including ultrahigh strength and elastic modulus which are not possible in conventional materials. This project aims to apply state-of-the-art in-situ transmission electron microscopy techniques to explore the dependence of mechanical properties on size, morphology and structure of boron nitride nanotubes and the effect of mechanical strain on electrical properties, which will provide opportunities for composite materials reinforcement via nanotubes, and tune the electronic and optoelectronic properties of nanotubes via strain engineering.