Quality Physical Model of Boron Nitride Nanotubes Formation in ICP/RF Plasma

This article provides the description of a qualitative physical model of the boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) formation in plasma. This model combines understanding not only chemistry of the process, which is well known, but also gas dynamics, heat and mass transfer, and interactions in a complicated multiphase swirling and highly reactive flow of solids, gases, and plasma. The model offers a concept for predicting and controlling phenomena of the BNNTs formation. It is universal and could be applied not only for boron and N₂ plasma but also for a wide variety of solids and plasma gases. It will help to navigate research and focus their efforts on collecting and analyzing numerical data for statistical analysis, further development of a quantitative model, and design and production of new nanomaterials with targeted properties. Inductively coupled or radio frequency plasma sources are selected as the best candidates for providing chemically pure plasma due to their electrodeless design and virtually unlimited service time on different gases and blends and from vacuum to bar pressure.